Metro Weekly - 01-15-15 - Kink 101

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JANUARY 15, 2015
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JANUARY 15, 2015
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EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Randy Shulman
JANUARY 15, 2015

Volume 21 / Issue 36
ART DIRECTOR
Todd Franson
POLITICAL EDITOR
Justin Snow
NEWS & BUSINESS EDITOR
John Riley
NEWS
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CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Doug Rule
FORTUNE 500S EARN

FAIRNESS ACCREDITATION
by John Riley
SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ward Morrison, Julian Vankim
CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR
Scott G. Brooks
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Christian Gerard, Brandon Harrison, Will OBryan
Troy Petenbrink, Kate Wingfield
BATTLEGROUND ATLANTA
by Justin Snow
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Rhuaridh Marr
FEATURES
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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KINK 101
by John Riley and Doug Rule
WEBMASTER
David Uy
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PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Julian Vankim
EVENT CALENDAR
MID-ATLANTIC LEATHER 2015
by Doug Rule
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Hundreds Rally to Support Trans Rights
Council Introduces Surrogacy Bill
Fire Chiefs Firing Lights

Fuse Under Religious Right
Atlanta becomes ground zero in the debate over religious freedom
by Justin Snow
JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
GAGE SKIDMORE
UNDREDS OF SOCIAL
conservatives descended on
Georgias Capitol Tuesday
to express their support for
Atlantas former fire chief, as the state
becomes the frontline in the ongoing
debate over religious liberty and tolerance.
Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin
Cochran has been propped up as the
poster child of liberal intolerance since
his firing earlier this month, following
controversy over anti-gay statements he
made in a 2013 self-published book, Who
Told You That You Are Naked?, which
classifies homosexuality as a sexual perversion and compares it to beastiality and
pederasty. Following a 30-day suspension during which an investigation was
conducted by the city, Cochran was fired
by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed on Jan. 6,
sparking backlash from religious conservatives claiming Cochrans constitutional
rights had been violated.
According to Reed, the decision to fire
Cochran came after an erosion in confidence in the former fire chief due to his
actions and remarks during his suspension. My decision has nothing to do with
his religion and everything to do with his
judgment and conduct as the leader of
the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and
a member of my Cabinet, Reed said in
a statement. Mr. Cochran ignored the
Citys Ethics Code which establish a clear
protocol which must be followed before
a Commissioner may engage in private
activity for pay. Mr. Cochran made
numerous judgment decisions regarding
the book that are unacceptable for a leader in City of Atlanta government: he sold
the book without the requisite approval;
Perkins
he authored the book identifying himself

as the Atlanta Fire Chief; he distributed
the book at work, despite the fact that
its content expressed opinions which
are contrary to the Citys and my personal commitment to nondiscrimination;
he exposed the City to potential litigation from employees; and he published
the book without ever mentioning it to
me. Mr. Cochrans decisions as a City
official, not his religion, resulted in his
termination.
The New York Times editorial board
defended Reeds firing of Cochran as
well, arguing that, regardless that the
investigation found no evidence Cochran
discriminated in the workplace, his
position as a high-level public servant
makes his remarks especially problematic, and requires that he be held to a
different standard.
But while Reed insisted Cochrans
religious views did not play a role in

his termination, telling reporters, Lets
stop trying to make this about religious freedom, social conservatives,
including national groups such as the
Family Research Council and National
Organization for Marriage, pounced.
Cochran proclaimed that he was fired for
no reason other than my Christian faith,
and the Family Research Council mobilized a petition campaign, insisting that
in Atlanta [r]eligious liberty is dangling
by a thread over a raging fire of government intolerance! More than 30,000 signatures expressing support for Cochran
were delivered to Reeds office Tuesday.
During a rally the same day, Cochran was
joined by a number of religious leaders
for a rally defending free speech in the
rotunda of the Georgia Capitol.
Among those in attendance was
Family Research Council President Tony
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JANUARY 15, 2015
LGBTNews
Perkins, who drew parallels to the terrorist attack on a satirical magazine, Charlie
Hebdo, in Paris last week. Whether its
a journalist in France satirically writing
about religion or a fire chief in Atlanta,
Georgia writing about the sacred teachings of his faith, the silencing of either is a
threat to the freedoms of all, Perkins said.
The naked truth is that the actions taken
against the Chief are designed to send a
message that will silence Christians and
in effect force them to check their faith
at the door of public service.
According to The Atlanta JournalConstitution, supporters of Cochran hope
Tuesdays rally will build support for a
religious freedom bill introduced in the
Georgia Legislature. The bill, which mirrors similar religious freedom bills that
have popped up in states across the country as marriage equality has continued to
spread, is opposed by LGBT groups who
believe it could provide a license to discriminate. Georgia Equality has voiced
opposition to the bill, which they argue
would allow people to discriminate
against LGBT people because treating
LGBT people equally would burden
their religious beliefs.
Despite those concerns, the firestorm
of controversy over Cochrans termination has increased the profile of the legislation. On Tuesday, Republican Gov.
Nathan Deal voiced support for a version
of the bill that would only apply to government agencies and not private businesses. I personally do not think that
the adoption of such a law would have
the negative impacts that many people
portrayed it would have, Deal told The
Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The debate over religious freedom
laws has been been elevated to national
levels over the past year, with the firing of Cochran only fueling it further.
The U.S. Supreme Courts July decision
in the Hobby Lobby case, which found
some religious employers can refuse to
pay for insurance coverage of contraception under the federal Religious Freedom
Restoration Act, increased the clash over
religious liberty and LGBT rights. One day
after the Supreme Court handed down
the Hobby Lobby decision, Mississippi
enacted a state Religious Freedom
Restoration Act (RFRA), which seeks to
ensure that state action or an action by
any person based on state action shall not
burden a persons right to the exercise of
religion. When the law was being considered by lawmakers, advocates argued
the bills broad language would allow
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JANUARY 15, 2015
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those burdens to include nondiscrimination laws. The bill mirrored a controversial measure approved by Arizona
lawmakers and vetoed by Arizona Gov.
Jan Brewer (R) last February following
national attention. Such bills, introduced
in Republican-dominated states, are part
of a broader backlash to gains across the
nation for marriage equality. Opponents
of LGBT rights justify the move by pointing to states with marriage equality and
existing nondiscrimination laws that
encompass sexual orientation that have
seen a growing number of conflicts, as
in New Mexico, where the states highest court ruled a wedding photographer
violated the states Human Rights Act
by refusing service to a same-sex couple.
While Cochran has found social conservatives solidly in his corner, LGBTrights groups have defended Atlantas
besieged mayor. The fact that Mayor
Reed lost confidence in Kelvin Cochrans
ability to do his job is completely unsurprising, and his decision to terminate
Cochran was right, fair and in the best
interest of all Atlantas residents, said
Chad Griffin, president of the Human
Rights Campaign, in a statement. People
of faith take their religious convictions with them to the workplace every
day, but Cochrans unprofessional and
irresponsible conduct was completely
unrelated to his personal convictions.
Instead, his actions before and during the
investigation left him unfit to serve, and
if Mayor Reed had not taken action, it
would have represented a severe failure
in his duties as the citys chief executive.

Reed, and Atlanta under his tenure as
mayor, has regularly received high rankings for LGBT equality from HRC. Reed
is also a member of the Mayors for the
Freedom to Marry coalition.
Radical anti-LGBT activists are
mounting a campaign to transform
Kelvin Cochran from an employee who
exhibited extremely poor professional
judgment into a martyr for the failing
campaign to keep LGBT people as second-class citizens across this country,
added Griffin. This is more than misleading, it completely ignores the facts of
this case.
But with losses by marriage-equality
opponents growing, and national resolution from the Supreme Court perhaps
finally within reach, a strategy focused on
religious liberty and mounted by social
conservatives appears likely to become
ever more common.
The fringe right is really overplaying
its hand on the religious liberty front,
added Gregory T. Angelo, executive
director of Log Cabin Republicans. Log
Cabin Republicans has always included
religious liberty considerations in all of
our pro-equality lobbying, but our definition of religious liberty is apparently far
different from those on the fringe right
who are seeking a special privilege to
discriminate and cloaking it in a cross.
Thats not the Jesus Christ I know. This
is a cynical political strategy employed by
individuals determined to oppose LGBT
equality until the bitter end. l
Fortune 500s
Earn Fairness
Accreditation
LGBT rights organization Equality Virginia honors companies for

commitment to workplace fairness, diversity
by John Riley
QUALITY VIRGINIA, THE

commonwealths top LGBT
rights organization, recognized five Richmond-area
Fortune 500 companies for workplace
policies that do not discriminate against

LGBT people, presenting them with
the Virginia Fairness Award at a Jan. 8
reception. The ceremony was held at the
downtown Richmond headquarters of
Fairness Award recipient Capital One
named one of the Best Places to Work
for LGBT Equality by the Human Rights
Campaign (HRC) with Gov. Terry
marketplace
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LGBTNews
McAuliffe (D) in attendance.
In addition to Capital One, the other
companies honored for their LGBTfriendly workplace policies include
tobacco giant Altria, used car retailer
CarMax, Dominion, the commonwealths
top provider of electricity and natural
gas, and Genworth, a financial planning
and insurance company.
We have accredited these companies because they have policies in place
that clearly welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees and protect them from discrimination in the
workplace, James Parrish, the executive director of Equality Virginia said in
a statement announcing the honorees.
These companies know that policies
welcoming diversity and inclusion are
not only good for business, but are the
right thing to do.
Diversity, equality and inclusion
are central to the Capital One culture,
a culture that thrives because of the
varying experiences, backgrounds and
perspectives offered by our associates,
said Lane Hopkins, managing vice president of enterprise human resources
at Capital One. From programs and
resources offered through our LGBT
Associate Network, to a broad range of
benefits and development opportunities, we are committed to fostering an
environment where all of our associates
feel heard, valued and respected. We are
very proud to be recognized by Equality
Virginia.
The other companies being honored
also acknowledged Equality Virginia
for recognizing their efforts to promote
workplace fairness.
The families of today, including
those of my colleagues at Genworth,
reflect the great diversity that defines
America. We are committed to supporting that diversity and creating an
environment of inclusiveness for all of
our employees, said Marty Klein, the
companys chief financial officer. Its
a commitment that also extends to our
customers. As a provider of insurance
solutions that help families become
more financially secure, self-reliant and
prepared for the future, we are dedicated to helping all families protect
those they love. This is a mission we at
Genworth share with Equality Virginia,
and we are proud to be part of it.
Others argue that adopting nondiscrimination policies just makes good
business sense.
At Dominion, we want to attract
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JANUARY 15, 2015
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and retain the best employees, added

Shannon Venable, the companys vice
president of staffing and diversity. I
think this recognition demonstrates
that Dominion is committed to providing a respectful and inclusive work
environment for all of its employees
which is fundamental to attracting and
retaining the best.
Whether from a political or a business perspective, the Virginia Fairness
accreditation is mutually beneficial to
all those involved. All five Fortune 500
companies are able to use the honor,
which highlights their pro-LGBT workplace policies, to help recruit and retain
talent that might otherwise be reticent
to settle or work in the commonwealth.
Equality Virginia benefits by being able
to get press surrounding the event, while
simultaneously emphasizing that major
companies headquartered in Virginia
already have policies prohibiting workplace discrimination. And McAuliffe
gets to tout the commonwealths probusiness policies that attract companies
like the five Fortune 500 awardees to
Virginia while also showing support for
the LGBT community and its straight
progressive allies, who constitute an
influential bloc among his Democratic
Partys base.
By highlighting the policies already
in place at all five companies, and celebrating their success, Equality Virginia
is hoping to undercut as much opposition as possible to three bills one in the
state senate and two others in the House
of Delegates, including one patroned
by a Republican, Del. Ron Villanueva
(Virginia Beach, Chesapeake) that
would protect all LGBT public employees from workplace discrimination or
unwarranted termination based on their
sexual orientation. But similar bills
introduced in previous sessions have run
into opposition from the Republicandominated General Assembly. A contingent of moderate or fair-minded yet
conservative Republicans in the state
senate has often voted with Democrats
to pass similar legislation through the
upper chamber, but House Speaker Bill
Howell (R-Fredericksburg, Stafford,
Aquia Harbor) and several committee
chairs have refused to hear those bills,
instead choosing to relegate them to
hostile subcommittees where they have
no chance of passing (and, often, away
from subcommittees where Republicans
from Democratic-leaning or swing
areas that are more socially moder-
ate, like Northern Virginia or Hampton

Roads, would be forced to take potentially unpopular votes).
While Virginia same-sex couples
already have the freedom to marry,
the commonwealth finds itself among
a growing number of states where an
LGBT person could get married legally,
but could also be fired if, for example,
their wedding announcement were published in a local paper. According to
polling by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner
Research frequently cited by Equality
Virginia most Virginians wrongly
assume that it is already illegal to refuse
to hire or fire someone because they are
lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender,
and 75 percent of Virginians would support a law protecting LGBT people from
employment discrimination.
Equality Virginia hopes that by recognizing Virginia-based pro-equality
corporations, they can convince General
Assembly legislators that adopting similar nondiscrimination protections is neither unusual nor harmful to business.
This is particularly aimed at General
Assembly Republicans who wish to be
seen as more mainstream conservatives or potential statewide candidates
in the future. Unlike some of their colleagues whose political profile rests on
their reputation as socially conservative firebrands, these other Republicans,
often from more socially moderate
regions of the commonwealth, have previously argued, without supporting evidence, that enacting such policies will
prove burdensome to businesses and
hinder economic growth, painting their
opposition as motivated by economic
concerns, rather than outright dislike of
LGBT people.
These companies are leading
Virginia forward, and the Virginia
Fairness accreditation is one way we
can celebrate them for being leaders,
Equality Virginias Parrish said of the
Fairness Award recipients. Recognizing
these companies at this particular time
in history is especially meaningful
because even with marriage equality,
there is currently no state law in Virginia
to protect public employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation
or gender identity. These companies are
setting the standard when it comes to
promoting inclusivity, strengthening
Virginias ability to recruit and retain
a talented workforce and ensuring that
Virginia is a welcoming place to live,
work, and visit. l
marketplace
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JANUARY 15, 2015
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LGBTCommunityCalendar
Metro Weeklys Community Calendar highlights important events in
the D.C.-area LGBT community, from alternative social events to
volunteer opportunities. Event information should be sent by email to
calendar@MetroWeekly.com. Deadline for inclusion is noon
of the Friday before Thursdays publication. Questions about
the calendar may be directed to the Metro Weekly office at
202-638-6830 or the calendar email address.
SMYALS REC NIGHT provides a social atmosphere for GLBT and questioning youth, featuring
dance parties, vogue nights, movies and games.
More info, catherine.chu@smyal.org.
SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-6 p.m., by
appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger.
Youth Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155, testing@smyal.org.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17
BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today for Lost Dog & Cat Rescue
Foundation at Falls Church PetSmart. To participate, visit burgundycrescent.org.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15
CENTER MILITARY AND DOD PRIDE host their
monthly PENTAGON LGBT HAPPY HOUR at
Freddies Beach Bar in Arlington. Free appetizers

and discounted drinks for those who attend. 5 p.m.8 p.m. 555 23rd St. S Arlington, Va. For information
on happy hour, contact Eric Perez, 202-682-2245 or
via email at eric.perez@thedccenter.org. For listings
and dates for future events, meetup.com/CenterMilitary-Meetup-Group.
CENTER POLY DISCUSSION GROUP, for those
interested in learning about polyamory and nonmonagamous relationships, meets at The DC

Center. 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite
105. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
THE DC CENTER invites community members to

a BOOK SIGNING AND READING featuring local
author Otis Randolf, who will read excerpts from
his erotic murder mystery thriller, Shadows Behind
the Rainbow. Free admission. 5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. Cash or credit card
required to purchase books. For more information,
contact Nolan McClinton, Nolan.McClinton@gmail.
com or 202-232-8607.
WEEKLY EVENTS
free HIV testing, 9-5 p.m., and HIV services (by
appointment). Call 202-291-4707, or visit andromedatransculturalhealth.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session at

Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van Buren St. NW.
7:30-9 p.m. swimdcac.org.
DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay and lesbian squaredancing group features mainstream through
advanced square dancing at the National City
Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle NW, 7-9:30 p.m.
Casual dress. 301-257-0517, dclambdasquares.org.
The DULLES TRIANGLES Northern Virginia social
group meets for happy hour at Sheraton in Reston,
11810 Sunrise Valley Drive, second-floor bar, 7-9
p.m. All welcome. dullestriangles.com.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker Health. The

Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,
9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson Center, 2301
MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call 202-7457000. Visit whitman-walker.org.
JANUARY 15, 2015
in Gaithersburg, 414 East Diamond Ave., and in

Takoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411.
Walk-ins 2-6 p.m. For appointments other hours,
call Gaithersburg, 301-300-9978, or Takoma Park,
301-422-2398.
METROHEALTH CENTER offers free, rapid HIV

testing. Appointment needed. 1012 14th St. NW,
Suite 700. 202-638-0750.

202-567-3155 or testing@smyal.org.
US HELPING US hosts a Narcotics Anonymous
Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW.

The group is independent of UHU. 202-446-1100.
WOMENS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE for young

LBTQ women, 13-21, interested in leadership development. 5-6:30 p.m. SMYAL Youth Center, 410 7th
St. SE. 202-567-3163, catherine.chu@smyal.org.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16
WEEKLY EVENTS
ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL HEALTH offers
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IDENTITY offers free and confidential HIV testing
METROWEEKLY.COM

appointment). 202-291-4707, andromedatransculturalhealth.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session
at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr. SW. 6:30-8 p.m. Visit

swimdcac.org.
GAY DISTRICT holds facilitated discussion for
GBTQ men, 18-35, first and third Fridays. 8:30 p.m.

The DC Center, 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. 202682-2245, gaydistrict.org.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker Health,

9 a.m.-5 p.m. 202-745-7000, whitman-walker.org.

Suite 700. 202-638-0750.
PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT-affirming social
group for ages 11-24. 4-6 p.m. 1419 Columbia Road

NW. Contact Tamara, 202-319-0422, layc-dc.org.
CHRYSALIS arts & culture group holds bi-monthly
Dinner Social at restaurant near Silver Spring Metro

Station. 7 p.m. All welcome. Plans for late winter
museum visits and out-of-town excursions will be
reviewed. Kevin, 703-464-9040, x1. kgiles27@gmail.
com.
LGBT ASYLUM SEEKERS/ASYLEES FORUM, a

forum for LGBT immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees and their supporters, holds its monthly meeting at The DC Center. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105.
For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
THE DC CENTER hosts an event with special guest
David Rink, president of the International Deaf
Leather Organization. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The DC Center.
2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more information,
visit thedccenter.org.
WEEKLY EVENTS

appointment). 202-291-4707 or andromedatransculturalhealth.org.
BET MISHPACHAH, founded by members of the

LGBT community, holds Saturday morning Shabbat
services, 10 a.m., followed by Kiddush luncheon.
Services in DCJCC Community Room, 1529 16th St.
NW. betmish.org.
BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP, including others interested in Brazilian culture, meets. For location/time,
email braziliangaygroup@yahoo.com.
Hains Point, 972 Ohio Dr., SW. 8:30-10 a.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walking/social
club welcomes all levels for exercise in a fun and

supportive environment, socializing afterward.
Meet 9:30 a.m., 23rd & P Streets NW, for a walk; or
10 a.m. for fun run. dcfrontrunners.org.
DC SENTINELS basketball team meets at Turkey
Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Ave. NE,

2-4 p.m. For players of all levels, gay or straight.
teamdcbasketball.org.
DIGNITY NORTHERN VIRGINIA sponsors Mass
for LGBT community, family and friends. 6:30 p.m.,
Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary
Road, Alexandria. All welcome. For more info, visit
dignitywashington.org.
GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discusses critical languag-
es and foreign languages. 7 p.m. Nellies, 900 U St.

NW. RVSP preferred. brendandarcy@gmail.com.

in Takoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite
411. Walk-ins 12-3 p.m. For appointments other
hours, call 301-422-2398.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18
CHICK CHAT, an age 50+ lesbian singles group,
hosts a free social at Politics & Prose Bookstore

Cafe. 2 p.m.-3 p.m. 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW.
RSVP to Cheryl Woerner at woernerc@yahoo.com
for more details.
WEEKLY EVENTS
LGBT-inclusive ALL SOULS MEMORIAL
EPISCOPAL CHURCH celebrates Low Mass at 8:30
a.m., High Mass at 11 a.m. 2300 Cathedral Ave. NW.
202-232-4244, allsoulsdc.org.
BETHEL CHURCH-DC progressive and radically

inclusive church holds services at 11:30 a.m. 2217
Minnesota Ave. SE. 202-248-1895, betheldc.org.
Hains Point, 972 Ohio Dr., SW. 9:30-11 a.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.
DIGNITY WASHINGTON offers Roman Catholic
Mass for the LGBT community. 6 p.m., St.

Margarets Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave. NW. All
welcome. Sign interpreted. For more info, visit dignitywashington.org.
Join LINCOLN CONGREGATIONAL TEMPLE

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST for an inclusive,
loving and progressive faith community every
Sunday. 11 a.m. 1701 11th Street NW, near R in
Shaw/Logan neighborhood. lincolntemple.org.
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF REFORMATION invites
all to Sunday worship at 8:30 or 11 a.m. Childcare is

available at both services. Welcoming LGBT people
for 25 years. 212 East Capitol St. NE.
reformationdc.org
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF

NORTHERN VIRGINIA services at 11 a.m., led by
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF

CHRIST welcomes all to 10:30 a.m. service, 945 G
Rev. Onetta Brooks. Childrens Sunday School, 11

a.m. 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax. 703-691-0930,
mccnova.com.
FRIENDS MEETING OF WASHINGTON meets for

worship, 10:30 a.m., 2111 Florida Ave. NW, Quaker
House Living Room (next to Meeting House on
Decatur Place), 2nd floor. Special welcome to lesbians and gays. Handicapped accessible from Phelps
Place gate. Hearing assistance. quakersdc.org.
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF

WASHINGTON, D.C. services at 9 a.m. (ASL inter-
St. NW. firstuccdc.org or 202-628-4317.
preted) and 11 a.m. Childrens Sunday School at 11

a.m. 474 Ridge St. NW. 202-638-7373, mccdc.com.
NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, inclusive
GLBT community for worship. 10:30 a.m., 6130 Old

Telegraph Road, Alexandria. hopeucc.org.
church with GLBT fellowship, offers gospel worship, 8:30 a.m., and traditional worship, 11 a.m. 5
Thomas Circle NW. 202-232-0323,
nationalcitycc.org.
INSTITUTE FOR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT,

God-centered new age church & learning center.
Sunday Services and Workshops event. 5419 Sherier
Place NW. isd-dc.org.
RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH, a Christ-centered,

interracial, welcoming-and-affirming church, offers
service at 10 a.m. 680 I St. SW. 202-554-4330,
riverside-dc.org.
HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST welcomes
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JANUARY 15, 2015
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ST. STEPHEN AND THE INCARNATION, an
WASHINGTON WETSKINS Water Polo Team

practices 7-9 p.m. Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van
Buren St. NW. Newcomers with at least basic swimming ability always welcome. Tom, 703-299-0504,
secretary@wetskins.org, wetskins.org.
UNITARIAN CHURCH OF ARLINGTON, an

LGBTQ welcoming-and-affirming congregation,
offers services at 10 a.m. Virginia Rainbow UU
Ministry. 4444 Arlington Blvd. uucava.org.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20
interracial, multi-ethnic Christian Community

offers services in English, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and
in Spanish at 5:15 p.m. 1525 Newton St. NW. 202232-0900, saintstephensdc.org.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF

SILVER SPRING invites LGBTQ families and indi-
viduals of all creeds and cultures to join the church.

Services 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. 10309 New Hampshire
Ave. uucss.org.
UNIVERSALIST NATIONAL MEMORIAL

CHURCH, a welcoming and inclusive church. GLBT
Interweave social/service group meets monthly.

Services at 11 a.m., Romanesque sanctuary. 1810 16th
St. NW. 202-387-3411, universalist.org.
CENTER BI, a group of The DC Center, hosts
a roundtable discussion of issues related to the

bisexual community in a private setting. 7:00 p.m.8:00 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more
information, visit thedccenter.org.
POWER OF KABBALAH, a course in kabbalis-
tic teachings offered by the Kabbalah Centre in

Washington, D.C., holds an eight-week workshop. Free for newcomers. 7:00 p.m. at Southern
Hospitality. 1815 Adams Mill Rd. NW, 2nd floor. For
more information, call 800-522-2252 or visit kabbalah.com/dc.
MONDAY, JANUARY 19
WEEKLY EVENTS
HAPPY MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY!

Regularly scheduled Monday events resume next

week.
WEEKLY EVENTS
Michael Brazell teaches BEARS DO YOGA, a program of The DC Center. 6:30 p.m., Green Lantern,
1335 Green Court NW. No cost, newcomers welcome. 202-682-2245, thedccenter.org.
at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr. SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visit

swimdcac.org.
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds practice, 6:30-8:30
p.m. Garrison Elementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscandals.wordpress.com.
The DC Center hosts COFFEE DROP-IN FOR THE

SENIOR LGBT COMMUNITY. 10 a.m.-noon. 2000
14th St. NW. 202-682-2245, thedccenter.org.
ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly dinner in Dupont/

Logan Circle area, 6:30 p.m. afwash@aol.com,
afwashington.net.
Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van Buren St. NW.
7:30-9 p.m. swimdcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walking/social
club serving greater D.C.s LGBT community and

allies hosts an evening run/walk. dcfrontrunners.
org.
THE GAY MENS HEALTH COLLABORATIVE
offers free HIV/STI screening every 2nd and 4th

Tuesday. 5-6:30 p.m. Rainbow Tuesday LGBT
Clinic, Alexandria Health Department, 4480 King
St. 703-321-2511, james.leslie@inova.org.
THE HIV WORKING GROUP of THE DC CENTER

hosts Packing Party, where volunteers assemble
safe-sex kits of condoms and lube. 7 p.m., Green
Lantern, 1335 Green Court NW. thedccenter.org.
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JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
in Gaithersburg, 414 East Diamond Ave., and in

Takoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411.
Walk-ins 2-6 p.m. For appointments other hours,
call Gaithersburg at 301-300-9978 or Takoma Park
at 301-422-2398.
KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY (K.I.) SERVICES,
at 3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free rapid HIV

testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 703-823-4401.

Suite 700. 202-638-0750.

Youth Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155, testing@smyal.org.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR LGBTQ YOUTH ages 13-21
meets at SMYAL, 410 7th St. SE, 5-6:30 p.m. Cathy
Chu, 202-567-3163, catherine.chu@smyal.org.
US HELPING US hosts a support group for black

gay men 40 and older. 7-9 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave.
NW. 202-446-1100.
Whitman-Walker Healths GAY MENS HEALTH
AND WELLNESS/STD CLINIC opens at 6 p.m.,
1701 14th St. NW. Patients are seen on walk-in basis.
No-cost screening for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and
chlamydia. Hepatitis and herpes testing available
for fee. whitman-walker.org.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker Health. D.C.:

MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment call 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUSLGBT focused

meeting every Tuesday, 7 p.m. St. Georges
Episcopal Church, 915 Oakland Ave., Arlington, just
steps from Virginia Square Metro. For more info.
call Dick, 703-521-1999 or Gretchen, 703-307-9517
Handicapped accessible. Newcomers welcome.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21
BOOKMEN DC, an informal mens gay-literature
group, discusses selected essays from Love,
Christopher Street: Reflections of New York City,
edited by Thomas Keith. 7:30 p.m. DC Center, 2000
14th St. NW, Suite 105. All welcome. bookmendc.
blogspot.com
GAY & LESBIAN INTERNATIONAL (GLINT), a
newly launched cross-embassy initiative to connect

the LGBT community working for embassies in
Washington, D.C., kicks off its first networking and
social event. 6:00-9:00 p.m. Number Nine, 1435 P
St. NW. RSVP at info@glintdc.com.
JOB CLUB, a weekly support program for job
entrants and seekers, meets at The DC Center. 2000

14th St. NW, Suite 105. 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. More info,
www.centercareers.org.
PRIME TIMERS OF DC, social club for mature gay

men, hosts weekly happy hour/dinner. 6:30 p.m.,
Windows Bar above Dupont Italian Kitchen, 1637
17th St. NW. Carl, 703-573-8316.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker Health. D.C.:
testing. No appointment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012

14th St. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.
NOVASALUD offers free HIV testing. 11 a.m.-

MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 202-745-7000,
whitman-walker.org. l
2 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite 200, Arlington.

Appointments: 703-789-4467.
FOR MORE CALENDAR LISTINGS

PLEASE VISIT
WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM
The HIV SUPPORT GROUP of The DC Center

meets on the third Wednesday of each month.
Support group is open to all, regardless of HIV status. 5:30-7:30 p.m. 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more
details, contact Marcus Conway, 202-841-0755.
THE TOM DAVOREN SOCIAL BRIDGE CLUB
meets for Social Bridge. 7:30 p.m. Dignity Center,

721 8th St SE, across from Marine Barrack. No
reservation and partner needed. 301-345-1571 for
more info.
WOMAN TO WOMAN: A SUPPORT GROUP FOR

HIV-POSITIVE WOMEN WHO LOVE WOMEN,
meets on the third Wednesday of every month at

the Womens Collective. Light refreshments served.
5:30-7:30 p.m. 1331 Rhode Island Ave. NE. For more
information, contact June Pollydore, 202-483-7003.
WEEKLY EVENTS
AD LIB, a group for freestyle conversation, meets
about 7:45 p.m., covered-patio area of Cosi, 1647
20th St. NW. All welcome. Jamie, 703-892-8567.
at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr. SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visit

swimdcac.org.
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds practice, 6:30-8:30
p.m. Garrison Elementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscandals.wordpress.com.
HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH offers Wednesday

worship 7:15 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. All welcome. 118 N.
Washington St., Alexandria. 703-549-1450, historicchristchurch.org.
in Gaithersburg, 414 East Diamond Ave. Walkins 2-7 p.m. For appointments other hours, call
Gaithersburg at 301-300-9978.
METROWEEKLY.COM
JANUARY 15, 2015
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JANUARY 15, 2015
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VERY JANUARY, HUGE CROWDS COVER THE LOBBY

and lower levels of the Hyatt Regency on
Capitol Hill, attracted en masse to MidAtlantic Leather Weekend, an annual event
hosted by local motorcycle club Centaur MC. In
addition to a Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather contest,
MAL features fetish demonstrations, dances,
cocktail parties and a leather mart where people
can purchase gear. Moreover, the full hotel is
booked for the event, making it an exclusive
leather and fetish preserve.
Theres often just enough space to tiptoe
through the crowd or navigate through the maze
of booths at the mart. Everybody from playful
leathermen, dressed in full regalia, to couples
wearing wrestling singlets and armbands crowd
together, sipping on cocktails, chatting and
introducing themselves to each other, with maybe
a flirtatious double entendre or playful nipple
tweak here and there.
Because of the hotels internal layout and
the sheer size of the crowds, the scene at MAL
weekend can be overwhelming and intimidating
for the MAL novice. Even veterans can be taken
aback by the sheer scale of it. But its certainly friendlier than it may initially seem.
Nigel Williams, Mr. DC Eagle 2013, says newcomers shouldnt be scared. Use your first MAL as an
educational experience by attending the various
parties, auctions or receptions, or by engaging
people huddled in small groups throughout the
hotels main lobby.
Id say, Its great that youre going. Be
respectful. Go with an open mind. Dont go in
judging, Williams advises. Visit the vendor mart. Educate yourself about the various
toys, gear, kinks. Meet people and talk with
them. If you have a particular fetish, or youre
just starting out in the scene, the vendors are
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JANUARY 15, 2015
19
there to explain and answer questions. The most important

thing to remember is that everyone was new once, and, hopefully, everybody will be able to empathize.
Jackie Thompson, a member of the Highwaymen TNT,
a local biker club, says there is often a stereotype of those in
the leather or fetish community as being harsh, mean and
unfriendly, a perception she says could not be further from
the truth.
The community is quite friendly and welcoming,
Thompson says. Thats a good thing. If youre new, youre
not the only one. Every person has been where you are
before. Were still here, standing with open arms.
Thats not to say there arent rules, however. Particularly
in relationships with a power structure, such as masterslave, sir-boy or puppy-handler relationships, there is often
an unspoken code of behavior or etiquette by which one is
expected to abide. In those cases, local MAL veterans say, its
best to ask whether to engage the submissive partner before
committing a faux pas, such as touching a pups collar.
Say, excuse me when you approach people and introduce yourself, says Thompson. If someones in the middle
of a scene, or is a puppy, for example, dont interrupt or touch
them without asking their dom. Always ask permission and
be respectful. Hi is always a good start.
Youre going to meet a collection of people who may take
those rules very seriously, Williams says. Youre also going
to see a lot of people who are just there to have a good time.
Of course, walking the hallways can be an adventure, he
adds, referring to the cruisy reputation MAL has developed
during the nighttime hours in the hotel.
There are markers for many, if not most, of the particular
kinks and fetishes and ones role in them chiefly based on
the position and color of an armband or handkerchief. (Right
signifies bottom or submissive, left a top or dominant partner,
with a rainbow of colors that can signify everything from
vanilla white for masturbation, a teddy bear signifying cuddling to hardcore, with orange signaling anything goes.)
The best way to find out what somebody is into is to engage
them in conversation, as many at MAL, at least are often
proud to share that information, as well as any additional
scenes they may be into but are not visibly flagging.
I think the biggest misconception about MAL is that
everyone thinks its all about whips, chains and bondage,
Williams says. If you see someone in leather, you may think
theyre automatically into whipping or tying up someone. But
theres a whole rich history of leather. The key components
behind leather are brotherhood, shared interests, and a sense
of belonging. I personally find it very empowering, because
youre able to be yourself. Leather is not one-size-fits-all. But
thats the joy of communication: you get to meet all types of
people.
Longtime MAL attendee David Merrill, who co-produces
the fetishwear party CODE and is a Gold Key Master at
SigMa, the local BDSM club, says theres often overlap
between various scenes within the kink or fetish community.
The other thing to remember, he says, is that no ones fetish
is completely the same.
Youve got various ways of approaching the entire lifestyle, Merrill says. Youve got the various relationships we
have, youve got the fetish wear, and youve got the kinds of
play that we do. I think those are the basic ways we approach
the scene. And you have those people who may or may not
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JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
be into any particular kind of play, whether its whipping or

flogging or bondage or needles or anything else. Theyre completely independent of each other. You can have guys that are
into bondage and jock gear and nothing else. You can have
guys who are into leather and needles and nothing else. You
can have guys who are not into leather or gear but are into
spanking. Its kind of a Chinese menu take what you want,
leave what you dont.
But the one thing that all experts and veterans of MAL
seem to agree on is the importance of communication to
understanding peoples boundaries and keeping all interactions fun, but also safe and consensual.
I think a lot of people have instinctive sexual desires,
Merrill says of peoples willingness to seek out various scenes
within the leather or kink community. Sexual desire comes
from the animal brain. Their higher-level brain may not be
engaged at all. And thats a problem. You have to have your
entire brain engaged. You have to have the discussion before

you start. You have to keep communicating while youre playing. You cant just let things go where they go, because you
might regret it.
If you want to play with somebody, if you continue telling
them how youre feeling during the play and what you want,
youre probably going to have a good experience, Merrill
continues. If you dont, its a crap shoot. If youre really
lucky, you might find a guy who will give you everything you
want. Otherwise, its more likely that youre going to have a
terrible time.
Thompson agrees with that assessment, saying open and
honest conversation is essential to making ones first time
enjoyable. Communication also helps to establish trust, not
only for the submissive partner, but also the dominant one.
It all starts with communication, Thompson, who
describes herself as an equal opportunity top, says. Talking
to people, asking them, Are you interested? and Are you in
the right frame of mind? If you dont tell me what you want,
how can I trust you to tell me that thats too far, or beyond
your limit? The conversation sets the tone for any scene.
Photography by Todd Franson

Its also important to keep in mind a distinction between
fantasy and reality or the difference between what you
might see in porn or in real-life demonstrations at MAL, and
what you can achieve on your own.
Its really important to remember that what you see as
being advertised or being promoted, says Mindy Chateauvert,
a member of Centaur MC, is not necessarily something that
you want to do without a lot of training or a lot of experience,
or without somebody who is experienced. The analogy is
close to operating dangerous equipment without having any
experience or anybody to tell you how to use it.
Yet thats all part of what makes MAL so important and
critical as a meeting point and breeding ground for exploring and engaging in various kinks and fetishes. I know so
many people whose first experience with anything involving
leather/kink/BDSM was at MAL, a Facebook user named
Dominion Onyx, a member of Onyx, the leather and BDSM
group for people of color in D.C., recently posted to MALs

page. The comment came in response to a question about
whether lasting connections are made at the event. It
is definitely a chance to do so much more than meet your
next play buddy, Onyx wrote. For many of us, it was a lifechanging experience.
As an introduction to MAL, we asked local experts and
veteran attendees to expound on fetish scenes common at the
event how they work and why theyre so popular among
the leather, BDSM and kink communities.
SCENE 1: LEATHER/BDSM
PERSON OF INTEREST:
Mindy Chateauvert
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? San Francisco in 1976. At that time
there was a huge community, [but] because I was not part

of it, the stuff that I ended up doing and getting involved in
turned out to be very abusive psychologically and physical-
ly. I didnt participate originally in a community with people

who understood what safe, sane and consensual meant. So it
really wasnt until I found some of the groups in D.C. that I
felt like I could once again participate, eventually finding out
that there were ways of participating that were not a danger
to your life.
WHAT ATTRACTS YOU TO IT? The part thats attractive to so
many people is the idea of power exchange putting your
trust in somebody else. We dont like to talk about how
important power is in relationships, and I think that one of
the things that for me is attractive is the honesty around the
power, as opposed to pretending it doesnt exist.
HOW DOES IT WORK? One of the things that becomes so important is negotiation. When were talking with a potential play
partner, you do talk specifically about what it is you like
and what you dont like, and what youre willing to try and
what youre not willing to try, and what stuff turns you on
and what stuff doesnt turn you on. When I negotiate with
somebody, we spend the first two or three days talking about
what were interested in, before anything happens. So this is
not something thats just sort of like, Oh, I meet you at a bar
and then we go home and do something. Its a long process
and preparation.
WHAT CLUBS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE SCENE? There are a lot of different groups. One of
the most important ones here in DC is M.A.S.T. [Masters

and Slaves Together]. There is both a pansexual and a gay
M.A.S.T. Theyve been around for a very long time.
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION? Theres so little talk these days
about how to talk about sex, that people cant talk about it, so
they find themselves in my observation and experience
having a very difficult time even knowing what they actually
are interested in. In the BDSM and leather communities, its
all about figuring out what it is you want and exploring that in
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JANUARY 15, 2015
21
a safe environment. The BDSM community insists on negotiating and understanding what each partner is interested
in their limits, their ideas, and most importantly this idea
of power exchange. Its an old saw, but something to remember: The bottom, if you will, always has the right to say no.
And when that no happens, its supposed to stop. Thats the
whole point.
SCENE 2: GEAR (RUBBER,

JOCKS, SPANDEX, SINGLETS,
SPORTS EQUIPMENT)
PERSON OF INTEREST: David Merrill

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? I came out of the leather scene.
All leather, all the time. Some time in the 90s, gear started
happening and I thought it was great from the very beginning. Its a whole other approach to kind of a masculine,
kinky kind of sexuality. Over time, I think Ive gotten more
into gear, and less into leather. When I was 12 years old, I had
a neighbor who was a football player, who I would tie up. And
I would punch him until he cried, and then send him home to
his father. And hed come back the next week to do it all over
again, so I know he enjoyed it. I didnt think of it as gear back
then. But oh, it was so hot.
WHAT ATTRACTS YOU TO IT? Its sexual, but its not just sexual.
Any gay person should be able to relate to it, because its similar to being gay. The gay community is not just about being
gay. Its not just about the sex. And its the same way with the
gear community. Its not just about the gear. Its more about a
shared experience, shared interests. If youre talking leather
versus gear, its pretty much a matter of what you wear, what
kind of dress you think is sexy. What the gear guys are doing
when they go into the dungeon and play is really not that different from what the leather guys were doing 30 years ago in
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JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
the dungeon when they played.

We like to fetishize the old days, and say everything was
really rigid and there were all these rules. But that really isnt
how it was. It was pretty much just the same as it is today,
except the scene and the community had not developed as
much. The scene has broadened added new things. We
still have sirs, we still have boys, we still establish respect
and trust as two of our highest values. The kind of clothes
we find sexy may change, but people dont change. They may
find different ways of expressing themselves, but its still the
same underlying motivations, the same needs sexual and
non-sexual.
HOW DOES IT WORK? The gear is part of the scene. It doesnt
define the scene, its not the entire scene, but it is an intrinsic
part. So, for instance, I might take a guy. I might put him in
football gear, socks, cleats, pads, jockstrap. I might put him in
a football helmet. I might have a gag built into the helmet. I
might hogtie him. And then he becomes my little plaything.

Im approaching it as a top. So Im very into bondage. Im into
the gear.
So my favorite approach is gear, then bondage, then play.
So you put a guy into hot gear, tie him up real nice and tight,
and have fun with him. Depending on the guy, the fun can be
various kinds of things, other than just sex spanking, toys,
gags, butt plugs, tails. It can be as simple as putting a guy in
a helmet and a gag and fucking him, or as elaborate as full
hockey kit. Theres lots of different approaches.
WHAT CLUBS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE SCENE? As far as I know, there arent any explicitly
gear clubs in this area. You have your rubber club, which is
more open to gear than your traditional leather clubs usually
are. Most of the guys into gear play tend to be younger. They
tend to be less likely to be aligned with a club. Theyre more
likely to be GDIs, as the old guys would call them God
Damn Independents. That term comes from back in the days
when most guys were expected to affiliate themselves with a
club. And GDIs were the guys who refused to. Today, most
guys are unaffiliated.
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION? I have no idea. I dont know if there
are that many.
a tail, some dont. Some wear their hoods. I dont wear a

hood. In my personal experience, if Im wearing my hood, its
for show. I dont go into puppy space if Ive got my hood on.
WHAT CLUBS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE SCENE? Right here in DC we have the Mid-Atlantic
SCENE 3: PUPPY PLAY
Kennel Korps (MAKK). Im actually one of the co-founders.

We dont have regular dates. And it doesnt cover just D.C. Its
a regional group D.C., Baltimore, Philly, Pittsburgh, Jersey.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? I first saw puppy play way back
in 2002 at SouthEast LeatherFest (SELF) in Atlanta. It was
a leatherman out with his pup right there at the event, he
was leading his pup through. I was introduced to them by my
sir at the time. He knew them. At that time that particular
sir was very much against it. So I had to wait. It was at MAL
2008 where I first pupped out.
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION? While pup play itself isnt new
PERSON OF INTEREST: Pup Tripp
its been around for years the community is actually fairly

new, less than a decade old. And its not fully understood. Its
defining itself, for one thing. And theres been a lot of misconceptions about who and what we are. And thats one of the
things that as a title holder [IPC International Puppy 2014]
I work towards clearing up. Some people [see it as degrading] and there was a time when it was. It used to be used
as punishment, years ago. And then those crazy people found
out we liked it. To me itd be a reward.
SCENE 4: ROPEWORK/BONDAGE
PERSON OF INTEREST: Eli Sirra
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? I was drawn to it after I saw
pictures of guys being tied up. I used to go to Lambda Rising

bookstore and check out pictures, like the Tom of Finland
drawings. I later took a three-day course in D.C. from Midori,
whos a heavy hitter in the world of rope bondage. I think
that once you find out what your kink is, you need to explore
it and learn all about it.
WHAT ATTRACTS YOU TO IT? After my first experience, it felt

so natural. It was neat. When I first saw it, I was really, really
intrigued. There was something about the energy in it that
drew me in. I cant tell you how I related to it, I just did. A lot
will tell you its a form of fetish play. To me pup play is not
sexual but actually very spiritual. Im expressing a very deep
part of myself, a very canine part of my personality. And when
I get into that zone, and completely let go, that inner pup can
pretty much take over. But Im still human.
HOW DOES IT WORK? The annual puppy park at MAL how
does one describe a mosh without calling it controlled chaos?
Thats where the pups who are interested in doing this
not all pups like to mosh theyll get down there and play.
Everything from chasing a ball around on the floor, romping
around with each other, in a safe and relatively controlled
environment. A lot of people will wear custom things where
they can move a lot more freely. We do kind of restrict some
gear so that people dont get hurt like something with
spikes. But people will be down there in singlets. Some wear
WHAT ATTRACTS YOU TO IT? In the pictures or drawings of

guys tied up, I would notice how tight the ropes were as the
guy struggled against them. They exuded masculinity. As I
became more interested in rope bondage, I was attracted to
how the rope was tied, even if it was a girl being tied up. It was
something that was turning me on, just in terms of pictures.
For me, its the fact that someone would submit or let me
have control over them, a sort of power exchange where I can
do whatever I want to them. That makes it erotic.
HOW DOES IT WORK? Bondage can happen with rope, or tape,
or latex anything. Once the person is bound, you can engage

in sex, BDSM, cock-and-ball torture, nipple play, electrical or
sensitivity play. Basically, any other kind or fetish can go
along with ropework as part of the experience. For me, its
the icing on the cake. I can do these things without bondage,
but once I know Im playing with rope, it heightens it for me.
Essentially, you can tie a sub up, or restrain them, and
then have them submit to your will. I also learned suspension
techniques in rope bondage. Thats where a person gets suspended in air by a teepee or a pulley. It requires a lot of safety
precautions and training. But essentially, once you secure the
arms and legs, you can run a rope through a persons harness,
and suspend them via a pulley. Then you add in the other elements of bondage.
WHAT CLUBS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE SCENE? If you look around or online, there are clubs
or private parties with demonstrations, where its like a class.

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JANUARY 15, 2015
23
You invite people to come and show off the different kinks,
like using electro devices on a sub. Then, afterwards, you can
ask questions of both the dom and the sub. You can also read
books about rope bondage.
In the club, I will often flag that Im interested in rope
bondage with a gray handkerchief in my left pocket. If theyre
interested in being a sub, they will wear one on the righthand side. Thats another way you can show interest.
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION? I think the biggest misconception
is that people think that you are just tying them up, and thats
it that theres nothing in addition to it. I think some people
also think that ropework has to be done pretty, like entirely
symmetrical or neat. But thats not the case. For me, its just
the fact that the person is bonded. Its about the struggle
against being tied that makes it erotic.
SCENE 5: WATERSPORTS
SCENE 6: SPANKING/FLOGGING
PERSON OF INTEREST: Jackie Thompson

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? It honestly started with rodeo. I
went to a party for women and trans folk, and I was good with
a rope and lasso, so that brought an interesting kink to things.
But this one night at Tracks, I was with friends and we met
this guy who wanted to be humiliated by a woman or group
of women. So I tried it, and it was like a duck to water. It was
natural. It was fun.
WHAT ATTRACTS YOU TO IT? I guess Im a unique person. Im
an equal opportunity top.

HOW DOES IT WORK? Leathers about sex. The way it smells,
the way it feels. BDSM has parts of that. But theres also a
PERSON OF INTEREST: David Gerard

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? When I first came out, I wanted to
try everything to see what I liked. That was one of the things
I tried.
WHAT ATTRACTS YOU TO IT? If you love a mans penis, why not
all of a mans penis? A penis is more than just for penetration.
HOW IT WORKS: There are a lot of ways. The easiest thing
to do is be a watersports top first, because the act of getting
pissed on is a bigger leap than pissing on someone or into
their mouth. And you dont have to confine yourself to the
bathtub, because thats not always fun, but rubber sheets and
a rubber play mat will work very nicely.
WHAT CLUBS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE SCENE? There really arent any clubs around in D.C.,
though you can find watersports parties. They all vary. There
can be as many as 200 people at a party in New York, for
example, or it could just be two guys getting together at someones house to play. Pretty much any kink is difficult to find
among vanilla guys at a vanilla bar. But there are some guys
who are very open about their kinks. Other times, theyre not,
because some of the vanilla guys can be judgmental.
You can always go online to Manhunt or Recon and
check the box for watersports. Sometimes, when one goes to
a leather bar, one may find a sub boy chained to a urinal, who
says, Please, sir, dont waste that. And its okay to pee on the
boy. At an event like MAL, youll see people wearing a yellow
hanky on their right. Its okay to go up and talk to him and ask
him about the scene.
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION? That its really smelly, or that
you can get an STI from it. Its actually very clean. Youre
not going to be repulsed by the smell. Theres no risk of
physical injury. Its probably one of the safest kinks there
is, besides getting a handjob. Its easy, doesnt cost anything,
and requires no preparation, whereas even regular anal sex
requires extensive preparation. Its one of the easiest, safest
kinks there is, which is why its a lot more common than some
BDSM activities.
24
JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
mental part to it, thats 24 hours a day for some. There are
roles, like ladies, subs, doms. There are verbal and nonverbal
cues to stop or go, based on how far you want to go, and how
far you can go. What I will typically ask is questions like, Do
you have any shoulder problems? That helps me in terms of
planning what theyre going to do. If they cant stand, I have
to take that into account. I need to think about their physical limitations, and ask them, Have you done this before? If
they dont know the answer to that question, then you have
to teach them that.
WHAT CLUBS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE SCENE: Theres the leather community, the BDSM
community. Its all about finding a group that works for you.
SCENE 7: BDSM/DOM-SUB
ROLE PLAY
PERSON OF INTEREST: Chaz
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? I got into it by chance. I was
meeting people online, and I hooked up with a kinky bottom, who suggested bondage. And we did it, we had a great
time. And it just seemed to spark an interest in me, and I just
kept pursuing it. And Ive now been in it about 15 years. And
Ive met a lot of great people along the way. I dont play a lot
because Im old-fashioned Im relationship-oriented and
monogamous-bound.
WHAT ATTRACTS YOU TO IT? As a dominant, it is definitely the
power exchange. Its definitely the trust. Theres an erotic
element to it that really powers it. If Im playing with a sub-
missive, and I know hes getting really turned on by what

were doing, it fuels me even more.
HOW DOES IT WORK? We really focus on negotiation. You basically talk about what you want to do while youre in a scene,
prior to playing, so both parties know exactly whats going to
happen and whats expected. And then during the scene you
dont break negotiation meaning you dont add something
to it that wasnt previously agreed upon. And the third step
is after-care, which is bringing that person back down from
his erotic and sensual experience. Your endorphins and all
the other chemicals in your brain get supercharged. And
after-care is where we talk about what worked for you, what
didnt work for you, and what could happen to make the next
time better.
WHAT CLUBS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE SCENE? SigMa is a really active, all-male BDSM
organization. We teach safety protocols. We provide support

when people need to talk. SigMa specifically works with
Dominants/submissives. We dont really put labels on people

other than that. Theres another group called Leather and
Kink United, which is relatively new, but theyre preparing
to do workshops, education, outreach and support. And it
incorporates everybody straight/gay and however you
identify yourself.
What were trying to, essentially, is to provide accurate
information, have support groups that people can go to and
talk about the things that are going on in their life. And just
make friendships, because kink, although its very popular, is
not widely accepted. Were trying to create an environment
where people feel safe to explore this, without any kind of
backlash from friends or family.
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION? I think there are two big miscon-
ceptions. One, that most people who are into kink have psy-
chological issues. A lot of people just see it as a bad thing. If

its done under the right conditions, its a very good thing. It
does a lot of positive things for you.
Its sort of like how it was years ago, when people thought
that homosexuality was a psychological issue. And a lot of
peoples perception is that being kinky or having a fetish is
bad theres something wrong with you. And thats not the
case. Society decides what is normal, what is sane and it
just doesnt fit the reality of it. I know many, many people
who are into kink, and they are the most together people Ive
met because they know themselves.
The second is that what everybody reads online is true.
Theres a lot of inaccuracies in the information thats out
there on BDSM/kink. If you research the role of a dominant,
youll get many, many articles and testimonies of what is a
good dominant and what is a good submissive, and there are
a lot of inconsistencies and inaccuracies. Its basically one
persons fantasy of what a dominant is, or specifically what
their needs for a dominant is. l
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JANUARY 15, 2015
25
Event Calendar
Mid-Atlantic Leather 2015
By Doug Rule
ORE THAN 3,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THIS

years Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend, which will fill every nook and
cranny of its host hotel, the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol
Hill at 400 New Jersey Avenue NW.
The lobby turns into the largest gay bar in the city, says Patrick Grady, the
events longtime chair and a member of presenting organization, the Centaurs
MC. But this year, the action isnt confined to the host hotel. Several other
local venues will be hosting parties, including many bear-popular spots, from
Green Lantern to Town Danceboutique. And Nellies Sports Bar is offering
discounted drinks and dining to those with an MAL wristband on Sunday, Jan.
18, making it a good choice for a pit stop before that evenings official closing
party the Reaction Dance at the 9:30 Club, just a block away.
This years MAL also ushers in the 30th annual Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather
contest, where a handful of contestants and a good portion of former titleholders are expected including Mr. MAL 1993, the contests perpetual cutup
emcee Frank Nowicki.
Theres great buzz this year, Grady says. Lots of people coming lots
of first-timers...with lots of interests in kink and fetish.... Theres something for
everyone this year at MAL, really.
Events in this calendar marked with an asterisk are official, MAL-ticketed
events for weekend-pass holders only. A shuttle van for day ticket or weekend
pass holders runs Friday and Saturday nights, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., between the
host hotel and the Green Lantern, 1335 Green Court NW. Other transportation
available as noted. All listings subject to change.
Weekend Admission Passes to the Exhibit Hall and other events on the host
hotels lower levels are available in one-day ($10), Saturday and Sunday combined ($20), or three-day ($25) variations. Full registration, including tickets to
all MAL-ticketed events, are $200.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15
DC Leather Pride: Welcome to MAL 2015
9 p.m. til close
Shirtless Men Drink Free from 10 to 11 p.m.
Green Lantern
1335 Green Court NW
Greenlanterndc.com
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16
MAL Registration
3 to 10 p.m.
Capitol Rooms A and B
Host Hotel
Bootblacks on Duty
Benefitting Mr. MAL Travel Fund and the
Leather Heart Foundation
4 to 10 p.m.
Lower Level
3 p.m. to Midnight
Lobby Level
Host Hotel
Exhibit Hall
4 to 10 p.m.
Lower Level
Host Hotel
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JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
DC Bar Cre:
Leather Bear Party & Patio Cigar Party
6 to 11 p.m.
No cover before 9:30 p.m.
Town Danceboutique
2009 8th St. NW
dcbearcrue.com
Mister International Rubber Cocktail Party
7 to 10 p.m.
Thornton Room
Host Hotel
Highwaymen TNT Fetish Party:
ExtremeO
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Regency Ballroom B
Host Hotel
trashandtravel.com
SigMa Dungeon Party
8 p.m. to Midnight
$20 SigMa members, $25 nonmembers
1636 R St. NW, Second Floor
sigmadc.org
Grunt Party: 1 Nation Under Gods

10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Tickets are $12
Green Lantern
1335 Green Court NW
greenlanterndc.com
Code
Rubber/Skin/Uniform/Leather/Naked,
strictly enforced
10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
$40 for one night, or $60 for Weekend Pass
Glorious Health Club
2120 West Virginia Ave. NE
codedc.com
Free shuttle from Host Hotel,
10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
495 Bears: Leather Growl Party with
Naked Bear Dancers
8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
No cover until 10 p.m.
Secrets
1824 Half Street SW
secretsdc.com
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17
MAL Registration
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Capitol A and B
Host Hotel
Bootblacks on Duty
11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Lower Level
12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Lobby Level
Host Hotel
Exhibit Hall
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lower Level
Host Hotel
Mid-Atlantic Kennel Korps: Puppy Park
VII puppy mosh
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Congressional A and B
Host Hotel
makkorps.org
BDSM Demonstrations by SigMa
Noon to 2 p.m.
Regency A and B
Host Hotel
sigmadc.org
International Mr. Leather 2015 Judges
Announcement
Noon to 1 p.m.
Thornton Room
imrl.com
Onyx Cocktail Party &
Leather/Fetish Gear Show
Live Auction benefits SMYAL and Onyx
2 to 6 p.m.
Suggested donation of $5
Congressional A
Host Hotel
onyxmen.com
495 Bears: Bears Can Dance MAL

Celebration
9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
No cover
Green Lantern
greenlanterndc.com
SigMa Dungeon Party
6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
sigmadc.org
Leather Cocktails*
7 to 9 p.m.
Regency Ballroom
Host Hotel
Code
Rubber/Skin/Uniform/Leather/Naked,
strictly enforced
10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
$40 for one night, or $60 for Weekend Pass
Glorious Health Club
codedc.com
NastyKinkPigs: FxCK Party
10 p.m to 3 a.m.
Regency B, C & D
Host Hotel
fxck.co
MAUL (Mid-Atlantic Uniform League)

Party: Report for Duty
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Congressional B
Host Hotel
uniformleague.org
DC Leather Pride: BLUF DC (Breeches &

Leather Uniform Fanclub)
4 to 10 p.m.
Tickets are $10 in gear, or $15
Cobalt
1639 R St. NW
facebook.com/cobaltdc
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18
SigMa Dungeon Party

6 to 10 p.m.
sigmadc.org
MAL Brunch*
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Capitol A and B
Host Hotel
MAL Registration
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Capitol Room Foyer
Host Hotel
Bootblacks on Duty
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lower Level
Noon to 6 p.m.
Lobby Level
Host Hotel
Exhibit Hall
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lower Level
Host Hotel
Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2015 Contest*
1 to 4 p.m.
Non-pass-holder tickets available for $25
Regency A, B, C & D
Host Hotel
The NeedlExchange: Honcho (Pittsburgh)

9 p.m. to close
Tickets are $9
Green Lantern
greenlanterndc.com
Rich Morels Hot Sauce DC MAL Weekend
10 p.m. to close
No cover
Little Miss Whiskeys Golden Dollar
1104 H St. NE
facebook.com/RichMorelsHotSauce
Official Closing Party: Reaction
9 p.m. to 4 a.m.
$45
9:30 Club
815 V St. NW
Shuttle bus runs 9:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.
930.com l
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JANUARY 15, 2015
27
JANUARY 15 - 22, 2015
Compiled by Doug Rule
SPOTLIGHT
SMELLIN UP THE DEN
GIGI
The Kennedy Center taps Signature Theatres Eric

Schaeffer to helm a new Broadway-bound revival
of Lerner and Loewes Oscar and Tony-winning
musical comedy, set in turn-of-the-century Paris.
Former Disney Channel star Vanessa Hudgens (High
School Musical) takes on the title role, playing a freespirited young woman on a journey to find her true
self and her true love. Victoria Clark (The Light in
the Piazza), Dee Hoty (Footloose), Howard McGillin
(Anything Goes), Corey Cott (Newsies) and Steffanie
Leigh (Mary Poppins) also star. Opens Friday, Jan.
16, at 8 p.m. To Feb. 12. Kennedy Center Eisenhower
Theater. Tickets are $45 to $145. Call 202-467-4600
or visit kennedy-center.org.
NATALIE COLE IN LET FREEDOM RING!

Get in line early if you want to hear this celebrated
vocalist, who will perform as part of the Kennedy
Center and Georgetown Universitys annual free
musical celebration honoring Martin Luther King,
Jr.s legacy. Also on the bill is the Let Freedom Ring
Choir with music director Rev. Nolan Williams Jr.
And the 13th annual John Thompson Legacy of a
Dream Award will be presented to George Jones,
head of Bread for the City, a D.C. nonprofit providing
food, clothing and comprehensive services for lowincome residents. Monday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. Kennedy
Center Concert Hall. Free tickets will be given away
two per person on a first-come, first-served basis
starting at 5 p.m. that day. Call 202-467-4600 or visit
kennedy-center.org.
JASON ALEXANDER WITH
THE BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Jack Everly leads the BSO Pops in a performance

featuring the former Seinfeld actor, who reprises his
salad days on Broadway with a variety show featuring stand-up and improv plus lots of music, of
course. Thursday, Jan. 22, at 8 p.m. Music Center at
Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.
Also Friday, Jan. 23, and Saturday, Jan. 24, at 8 p.m,
and Sunday, Jan. 25, at 3 p.m. Joseph Meyerhoff
Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore.
Tickets are $40 to $120. Call 410-783-8000 or visit
bsomusic.org.
KING: A FILMED RECORDMONTGOMERY

TO MEMPHIS
The American Film Institutes Silver Theatre celebrates MLK Day by screening a free documentary
featuring footage of the civil rights legend. King: A
Filmed RecordMontgomery to Memphis includes
his stirring I Have A Dream speech at the Lincoln
Memorial, and also features narration and commentary from Sidney Poitier, James Earl Jones, Paul
Newman, Charlton Heston, Harry Belafonte and
Ruby Dee, among others. Sidney Lumet and Joseph
L. Mankiewicz co-directed and produced this 1970
film. Monday, Jan. 19, at 1:45 p.m. AFI Silver Theatre,
8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. Tickets are free.
Call 301-495-6720 or visit afi.com/Silver.
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JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
Red Knight Productions, which started a couple

years ago at the Capital Fringe Festival, offers a new
New York-style sketch comedy show, Smellin Up
The Den. Written by Red Knights Scott Courlander
and David Juliano, the piece was first performed in
a shorter version at Amy Poehlers Upright Citizens
Brigade Theatre in New York and is billed as Think
SNL, but with the F-word. It features Michael
Cartwright, Katie Courlander and Justus Hammon
telling a sketchy story that spoofs on Charlie Brown,
the Muppets and Americas brightest children somehow or other roped into competing for the Scripps
National Penis Bee. Opens Friday, Jan. 16, at 8
p.m. Runs to Jan. 31. Port City Playhouse, 1819 North
Quaker Lane. Alexandria. Tickets are $!8 to $22 and
come with complimentary beer or wine. Call 703838-2880 or visit redknightproductions.com.
STUDIO GALLERY EXHIBIT:

PORTRAITS OF SELF AS OTHER
Thomas Drymon got the idea for this Doris-Mae

exhibit, hosted at Dupont Circles Studio Gallery,
after looking at hundreds of Instagram feeds and
other sources of social media sharing, or self-selected curating of photos. If you look at an artists
body of work, he asks in an official statement,
can you glean a sense of identity from it much the
same way one can do with social media apps? He
attempts to answer the question with a look at the
works of six painters: Laura Elkins, Joren Lindholm,
Kanchan Balse, Paul Pietsch, Amanda Kates and
Luke Alexander Atkinson. Now to Jan. 31. A Meet the
Artists Reception is Saturday, Jan. 17, from 4 p.m. to
6 p.m. Studio Gallery, 2108 R St. NW. Call 202-2328734 or visit studiogallerydc.com or doris-mae.com.
THE INSERIES: BELLINIS SONNAMBULA
The next opera in the In Series pocket opera series

is this infrequently performed Romantic story of
innocent young love, jealousy, intrigue and sleepwalking. Its a full production with chamber ensemble of a new English adaptation by Steven Scott
Mazzola. CarrieAnnie Winter, Joseph Haughton,
Brody Del Baccaro, Eduardo Castro and Kimberly
Christie make up the cast. To Jan. 25. Source, 1835
14th St. NW. Tickets are $22 to $42. Call 202-2047760 or visit inseries.org.
THE T PARTY
Forum Theatre stages an immersive theatrical event

celebrating gender transformation in D.C. Writer
and director Natsu Onoda Power tells the real-life
stories of local transgender people through a series of
scenes, songs, videos and even a dance party. Closes
this Saturday, Jan. 17. Round House Theatre Silver
Spring, 8641 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. Tickets
are $30 to $35. Call 240-644-1100 or visit forumtheatre.com.
TIG NOTARO
In addition to lesbian comic Tig Notaros breadand-butter base of stand-up, chances are youve also
appreciated her generally behind-the-scenes television writing work most notably for Comedy
Centrals The Sarah Silverman Program and Inside
Amy Schumer as well as her occasional contributions to PRIs This American Life. Notaro, a
Mississippi native who lives in Los Angeles, returns
to the area for an unusual winter stop. Monday,
Jan. 19, at 8 p.m. Rams Head On Stage, 33 West St.,
Annapolis. Tickets are $25. Call 410-268-4545 or
visit ramsheadonstage.com.
FILM
PADDINGTON
Are you ready to have the eponymous bear, fondly

remembered from the 70s TV series with a mix
of 2D drawings and 3D stop-motion, recreated in
CGI and placed into a real-world setting? Hugh
Bonneville, Julie Walters and Nicole Kidman aim to
ease the transition, directed by the producer of the
Harry Potter films, David Heyman. Heres hoping it
doesnt suffer Garfields fate. Opens Friday, Jan. 16.
Area theaters. Visit fandango.com.
STILL ALICE
Julianne Moore offers another terrific, heartbreaking and unforgettable performance also awardwinning, a la the Golden Globes most recently this
time as Alice, a mother who is starting to forget her
words (her stock-in-trade as a linguistics professor)
due to early onset Alzheimers. Richard Glatzer and
Wash Westmoreland direct this film, based on Lisa
Genovas novel, that also stars Alec Baldwin as Alices
husband and Kate Bosworth, Hunter Parrish and
Kristen Stewart as their children. Opens Friday, Jan.
16. Landmarks E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. Call
202-452-7672 or visit landmarktheatres.com.
STAGE
BAD JEWS
In Joshua Harmons acerbic dramedy Bad Jews,

none of the four characters are lovable. They are,
in fact, as the title would have it, all bad, to varying
degrees though only three of the four are Jewish,
cousins reunited for their grandfathers funeral.
Irene Sofia Lucio as Daphna and Alex Mandell
as Liam both turn in astonishing performances as
the shows two tentpole monsters, one an Israelidreaming Jewish hardliner, the other a thoroughly
assimilated American atheist. Peace and goodwill
between these two is as impossible to imagine as it
is between Israel and Palestine. Closes this Sunday,
Jan. 18. Studio Theatre, 14th & P Streets NW. Tickets
are $44 to $88. Call 202-332-3300 or visit studiotheatre.org. (Doug Rule)
BASKERVILLE:
A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY
Arena Stage presents the world-premiere of Ken

Ludwigs comic adaptation of everyones favorite
crime-solver, in a co-production with McCarter
Theatre Center. Amanda Dehnert directs. Opens
Friday, Jan. 16, at 8 p.m. To Feb. 22. Mead Center for
American Theater, 1101 6th St. SW. Tickets are $45
to $98. Call 202-488-3300 or visit arenastage.org.
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JANUARY 15, 2015
29
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN AMERICA
Virginias American Century Theater offers two

intense one-act dramas in an evening with echoes
of todays Ferguson: Terry Curtis Foxs Cops (based
on a sketch by David Mamet) and William Saroyans
classic Hello Out There. Both are encore productions,
with Cops one of the companys best-received shows
and Hello Out There garnering the company its first
Helen Hayes nomination in its second season. Now
to Jan. 31. Gunston Theater Two, 2700 South Lang
St. Arlington. Tickets are $32 to $40. Call 703-9984555 or visit americancentury.org.
DINER: THE MUSICAL
Kathleen Marshall, a veteran Broadway director/

choreographer of hit revivals including Wonderful
Town and Anything Goes, helms a new adaptation of Barry Levinsons classic 80s movie set in
Baltimore and featuring music and lyrics by bluesy
rocker Sheryl Crow. After last years scheduled
Broadway debut was postponed for further refinement, Signature Theatre stepped up to the plate to
give the show its world premiere. The production
features a large cast of 20, with the central circle of
friends portrayed by Adam Kantor as Eddie, Josh
Grisetti as Shrevie, Derek Klena as Boogie, Aaron C.
Finley as Billy and Matthew James Thomas as Fen.
And Signatures main star in its arsenal, Nova Y.
Payton, plays Stripper. To Jan. 25. Max Signature
Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Call 703820-9771 or visit signature-theatre.org.
IN PRAISE OF LOVE
Washington Stage Guild offers a production

of Terence Rattigans play about the marriage of
Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall, an early hit at the
Kennedy Center. Laura Giannarelli directs. Now
to Jan. 25. Undercroft Theatre of Mount Vernon
United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Ave.
NW. Tickets are $40 to $50. Call 240-582-0050 or
visit stageguild.org.
THE TEMPEST
One of Shakespeares late masterpieces, a magical tale in which sprites, goddesses and fools
hold court on a deserted island after a shipwreck.
Ethan McSweeney directs a Shakespeare Theatre
Company production. Closes this Sunday, Jan. 18.
Sidney Harman Hall, Harman Center for the Arts,
610 F St. NW. Call 202-547-1122 or visit shakespearetheatre.org.
MUSIC
AFRIKA BAMBAATAA AND
FUNK FOR THE DREAM
D.C.s Fort Knox Recordings presents this celebration of Martin Luther King Jr., featuring DJ sets
from electro-funk master and godfather of hip-hop
Afrika Bambaataa, plus multi-genre local group Fort
Knox Five. Sunday, Jan. 18. Doors at 9 p.m. U Street
Music Hall, 1115A U St. NW. Tickets are $10. Call
202-588-1880 or visit ustreetmusichall.com.
ARI HEST
Thirty-four-year-old Ari Hests range now is chiefly

a baritone well suited to heavier sentiments about
life and love than the average. I guess I identify
more with the struggle whatever the struggle is in
music, Hest told Metro Weekly two years ago. Not
to compare myself to Leonard Cohen, but you know
that kind of voice, generally, you think of some kind
of weighted song coming from a voice like that.
Sarah Siskind, whose perceptive folk music has been
performed on ABCs Nashville, opens. Saturday, Jan.
24, at 7:30 p.m. The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap
Road, Vienna. Tickets are $25. Call 877-WOLFTRAP
or visit wolftrap.org.
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JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
BOHEMIAN CAVERNS JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Every Monday night the 17-piece jazz orchestra

performs a variety of music from the big band repertoire including pieces by Duke Ellington, Count
Basie, Billy Strayhorn and Maria Schneider, plus
originals from band members, at its namesake venue.
Founded by baritone saxophonist Brad Linde and
club owner Omrao Brown, featuring some of D.C.s
best jazz musicians, including Linde and trumpeter
Joe Herrera, who co-direct. Performances at 8 p.m.
and 10 p.m. every Monday night. Bohemian Caverns,
2001 11th St. NW. Tickets are $10. Call 202-299-0800
or visit bohemiancaverns.com.
BUDAPEST FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Former National Symphony Orchestra conductor

Ivn Fischer co-founded and leads the Budapest
Festival Orchestra, a relatively young yet highly
regarded ensemble. The BFO returns to the area with
a program linking two dramatic works: Mozarts
The Magic Flute and Mendelssohns A Midsummer
Nights Dream. Plus, violinist Pinchas Zukerman
joins to perform Mozarts Violin Concerto No. 5 in
A Major. Friday, Jan. 23, at 8 p.m. Music Center at
Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.
Tickets are $35 to $95. Call 301-581-5100 or visit
strathmore.org.
FOUR BITCHIN BABES
Best of the Babes 25th Anniversary Show features highlights from the comedic music ensemble
featuring Ohio-based Sally Fingerett, Philadelphiabased comedic singer Deirdre Flint and two locals,
Grammy-winning lesbian multi-instrumentalist
Marcy Marxer and former The Hags singer Debi
Smith. In an interview with Metro Weekly a couple
years ago, Smith summed up the Babes outlook to
songwriting and performing: We look at life, as its
happening, usually in a comedic way [and] through
a wacky viewfinder. Saturday, Jan. 24, at 7:30
p.m., at the Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave.,
Alexandria. Tickets are $35. Call 703-549-7500 or
visit birchmere.com.
GREAT NOISE ENSEMBLE
Since composer and conductor Armando Bayolo

founded it in 2005, the Great Noise Ensemble has
become one of the most important and adventurous
ensembles in D.C. focused on contemporary classical
music. The group returns to the Atlas with a Winter
Light program featuring two new-music giants:
Arvo Part and his Fratres, and Pulitzer Prize winner
John Luther Adams and his Clouds of Forgetting,
Clouds of Unknowing. Friday, Jan. 23, at 8 p.m. Atlas
Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Tickets are
$28. Call 202-399-7993 or visit atlasarts.org.
LAURA BENANTI
Last year Tony-winning star Laura Benanti (Gypsy,

Into The Woods) recalled to Metro Weekly having a
slight existential crisis as a kid. What is this world
that I live in? What is this horrible place where people know who Paula Abdul is, and they dont know
who Rosemary Clooney is? It made me feel really
lonely and really sad, Benanti said. On the flipside,
it also made her feel like a 45-year-old gay man
in a little girls body. After performing once again
with the Gay Mens Chorus of Washington, Benanti
returns less than a year later to offer another night of
cabaret-style song, dance and humor. Sunday, June
25, at 7:30 p.m. The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap
Road, Vienna. Tickets are $40. Call 877-WOLFTRAP
or visit wolftrap.org.
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Christoph Eschenbach conducts a program that

includes a U.S. premiere of an NSO co-commissioned piano concerto by the radical Wolfgang Rihm
and performed by Tzimon Barto. Also on the bill
are works by Berliozs Symphonie fantastique and
Dvoraks Carnival Overture. Thursday, Jan. 15, at 7

p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 17, at 8 p.m. Kennedy Center
Concert Hall. Tickets are $10 to $85. Call 202-4674600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
SUPER DIAMOND
From Sweet Caroline to Heartlight, the San

Francisco-based Super Diamond has Neil Diamond
covered, literally. Ive met them and I have been to
their shows, theyre wonderful, Diamond raved a
decade ago to Katie Couric. Saturday, Jan. 17. Doors
at 8 p.m. 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. Tickets are $22.
Call 202-265-0930 or visit 930.com.
THE SMITHEREENS
Hard to believe its already been more than three

decades since the leather-wearing, American college-rock band charted with Only A Memory,
11 and A Girl Like You. Friday, Jan. 23, at 9 p.m.
The State Theatre, 220 North Washington St., Falls
Church. Tickets are $21. Call 703-237-0300 or visit
thestatetheatre.com.
THE TRAGICALLY HIP
Formed over three decades ago by five friends, the

Tragically Hip is a truly hip sensation in its native
Canada. If not as popular south of the border, at least
the band isnt tragically unknown. They returns to
play the Lincoln Theatre next week. Wednesday,
Jan. 21. Doors at 6:30 p.m. Lincoln Theatre, 1215
U St. NW. Tickets are $49.50 to $75. Call 202-3286000 or visit thelincolndc.com.
DANCE
32ND ANNUAL
CHOREOGRAPHERS SHOWCASE
A co-presentation with the Maryland-National

Capital Park and Planning Commission, this annual
showcase at the Clarice features some of the regions
most talented emerging choreographers adjudicated
by Zvi Gotheiner and Keith A. Thompson. Noted
local gay choreographer Christopher K. Morgan
is one of those selected this round, along with
Kimmie Dobbs Chan, Robin Neveu Brown, Madhvi
Venkatesh, Emily Heller, Colette Krogol with
Matthew Reeves and Taura Broadhurst. Saturday,
Jan. 24, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Clarice at the
University of Maryland, University Boulevard and
Stadium Drive. College Park. Tickets are $25. Call
301-405-ARTS or visit theclarice.umd.edu.
KANKOURAN
WEST AFRICAN DANCE COMPANY
Kankouran offers its annual performance honoring

Martin Luther King, Jr. on his birthday weekend.
The program features an electrifying, athletic and
kid-friendly routines set to traditional West African
dancing and drumming. Saturday, Jan. 17, at 8 p.m.,
and Sunday, Jan. 18, at 4 p.m. Dance Place, 3225 8th
St. NE. Tickets are $25 in advance, or $30 at the door.
Call 202-269-1600 or visit danceplace.org.
SUSAN MARSHALL
A MacArthur Fellow last decade and the director of dance at Princeton University, ballet-minded
choreographer Susan Marshall has been developing
a new work involving the body, objects and sound
with So Percussion composer and musician Jason
Treuting and visiaul artist Suzanne Bocanegra. The
trio will perform sketches from the new work next
weekend at the American Dance Institute. Friday,
Jan. 23, and Saturday, Jan. 24, at 8 p.m. American
Dance Institute, 1501 East Jefferson St. Rockville.
Tickets are $31.25. Call 301-984-3003 or visit americandance.org.
READINGS
ROGER COHEN
The Girl from Human Street: Ghosts of Memory in a Jewish Family is an intimate
memoir about this award-winning New York Times columnists family legacy,
from pre-Holocaust days in Lithuania to apartheid-era South Africa to U.S. and
Israel more recently. Thursday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue.
600 I St. NW. Tickets are $12, or $28 for two tickets and one book. Call 202-4083100 or visit sixthandi.org.
COMEDY
PORKCHOP VOLCANO
This live short form improv troop specializes in rapid-fire laughs inspired by
audience suggestions and performs on special Saturday nights at its home base,
the Arlington Drafthouse. Saturday, Jan. 24, at 9 p.m. Arlington Cinema N
Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington. Tickets are free. Call 703-486-2345
or visit arlingtondrafthouse.com.
MODERN SCULPTURE: DIALOGUES IN THREE DIMENSIONS
While its galleries are closed for renovation and expansion, the National Gallery
of Art has set up throughout its East Building a special installation of modern
sculpture from its renowned holdings. And three times a week, the gallery offers
a new 60-minute guided tour highlighting these works, allowing patrons to
engage with each other in open-ended discussions about, in addition to the guide
pointing out connections between, the works on view, from Alexander Calders
monumental mobile Untitled from 1976 to Andy Goldsworthys decade-old
Roof. The relationship between I.M. Peis East Building and John Russell Pops
West Building is also examined. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, at 1:30 p.m.
National Gallery of Art East Building Information Desk, 3rd Street at Constitution
Avenue NW. Call 202-737-4215 or visit nga.gov.
ONCE THERE WERE BILLIONS
Once There Were Billions: Vanished Birds of North America documents those
species of birds weve lost on this continent over the past two centuries, from
the puffin-like great auck to the Carolina parakeet to the heath hen to the passenger pigeon, not to be confused with the commonplace carrier pigeon. Through
October. National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution
Avenue NW. Call 202-633-1000 or visit mnh.si.edu.
PERSONALLY SPEAKING: 12X12
GALLERIES
AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE: TOURING THE GLOBE FOR 75 YEARS
A collection of 43 artifacts, including photographs, costume sketches, posters

and a short film of clips, tracing the history and impact of what was founded in
1939 as Ballet Theatre. This troupe incorporated American influences and helped
inspire American choreographers such as Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille and
Twyla Tharp, to transform this classical genre. Through Jan. 24. Performing Arts
Reading Room in The Library of Congresss James Madison Memorial Building,
101 Independence Ave. SE. Call 202-707-8000 or visit loc.gov/exhibits.
BEYOND BOLLYWOOD: INDIAN AMERICANS SHAPE THE NATION
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center presents this ambitious and colorful exhibition on the second floor of the National Museum of Natural History,
exploring the heritage, daily experiences and diverse contributions of Indians
and Indian Americans. Through Aug. 16. National Museum of Natural History,
10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Call 202-633-1000 or visit mnh.si.edu.
A juried multi-media art show, Personally Speaking: 12x12 features Capitol Hill
Arts League member artists revealing their personal style through work that
holds a personal meaning to them. Opening reception is Saturday, Jan. 17, from 5
p.m. to 7 p.m. Runs to March 5. Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 7th St. SE. Call
202-547-6839 or visit chaw.org.
PICTURING MARY: WOMAN, MOTHER, IDEA
The National Museum of Women in the Arts offers a landmark exhibition

bringing together Renaissance and Baroque masterworks from major museums,
churches and private collections in Europe and around the U.S., all depicting the
Virgin Mary in one form or another as the ultimate conception of motherhood.
The exhibition includes more than 60 paintings, sculptures and textiles from
artists both male Botticelli, Michelangelo and Drer and to a lesser extent
female, including Artemisia Gentileschi and Elisabetta Sirani. Through April 12.
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave NW. Admission is
$10. Call 202-783-5000 or visit nmwa.org.
DECODING THE RENAISSANCE
The Folger Shakespeare Librarys latest exhibition focuses on the first great age
of mass communication, the Renaissance, which launched printing, developed
diplomacy and created postal systems. All of this triggered an obsession with
encryption and secret communication that produced some of the periods most
brilliant inventions, most beautiful books and most enduring legacies, including
that of code-breakers and cryptographers. Through Feb. 26. Folger Great Hall in
Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE. Free. Call 202-544-7077 or
visit folger.edu.
ELSABE DIXON: LIVE/LIFE
South Africa-born, Virginia-based artist Elsabe Dixon investigates our relationship with changing systems and networks using organic and repurposed material,
focused on the biological life cycle of insects. In Live/Life at Artisphere, Dixon
shows an insect life cycle as an ephemeral gesture over a period of five months.
To Feb. 22. Artist In Resident Studio at Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd. Arlington.
Call 703-875-1100 or visit artisphere.com.
FOOD: OUR GLOBAL KITCHEN
National Geographic imports this exhibition from New Yorks American Museum
of Natural History exploring the complex and intricate farm-to-fork food system,
with sections devoted to growing, transporting, cooking, eating, tasting and
celebrating. Through Feb. 22. National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW.
Tickets are $11. Call 202-857-7588 or visit ngmuseum.org.
JAMESON MAGROGAN: 12TH ANNUAL DC ARTIST SOLO EXHIBITION
Transformer presents its 12th annual solo exhibition with a focus on Jameson
Magrogan. Oil, Then Acrylic investigates the artists relationship to the mythos
of art history through painting, drawing, sculpture and print. Through Jan. 31.
Transformer, 1404 P St. NW. Call 202-483-1102 or visit transformerdc.org.
MAKE SOME NOISE: STUDENTS AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Pegged to the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and just one of
several exhibitions at the Newseum marking the occasion, Make Some Noise:
Students and the Civil Rights Movement explores the new generation of student
leaders that emerged in the 1960s to fight segregation and fight for civil rights.
John Lewis, now a U.S. representative from Georgia, and Julian Bond, a former
chair of the NAACP, are among the leaders highlighted here. Through 2015.
Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $21.95 for general admission.
Call 888-NEWSEUM or visit newseum.org.
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THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964: A LONG STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM
The Library of Congress commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights
Act with a yearlong exhibition highlighting legal and legislative victories and
shedding light on the individuals who shaped the civil rights movement. Through
Sept. 12. The Library of Congresss Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE.
Call 202-707-8000 or visit loc.gov/exhibits.
ZEN, TEA AND CHINESE ART IN MEDIEVAL JAPAN
Well-known expressions of Japanese culture have their roots in Chinese arts and
ideas, from Buddhism to tea to ink painting. The Smithsonian Institutions Freer
Gallery of Art offers an exhibition featuring Chinese and Japanese paintings,
lacquer ware and ceramics from the 13th through the 19th centuries. To June
14. Freer Gallery of Art, Jefferson Drive at 12th Street SW. Call 202-633-1000 or
visit asia.si.edu.
THE SINGING AND THE SILENCE: BIRDS IN CONTEMPORARY ART
A century after the extinction of the passenger pigeon and 50 years after the
Wilderness Act, the Smithsonian American Art Museum offers an exhibition
examining humankinds relationship to birds and the natural world in the
works of 12 contemporary American artists, including Rachel Berwick, Barbara
Bosworth, James Prosek and Tom Uttech. Through Feb. 22. Smithsonian
American Art Museum, 8th and F Streets NW. Call 202-633-1000 or visit americanart.si.edu.
THE VISIONARY EXPERIENCE: SAINT FRANCIS TO FINSTER
Baltimores quirky Visionary Art Museum offers its 20th annual exhibition,
this one championing lifes grand Eureka! moments, held in common by
Earths most dynamic and intuitive evolutionaries, from inventors, scientists,
Americas founding fathers, dreamers and saints. The show was co-curated by
filmmaker and publisher Jodi Wille and AVAM founder and director Rebecca
Alban Hoffberger. Through Aug. 30. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key
Highway. Baltimore. Tickets are $15.95. Call 410-244-1900 or visit avam.org.
WINDOW TO WASHINGTON
Window to Washington: The Kiplinger Collection at HSW is an exhibition at

Washingtons Carnegie Library that traces the development of the nations capital from a sleepy Southern town to a modern metropolis, as documented through
the works of artists. The Historical Society of Washington, D.C., exhibition was
made possible by a donation from the Kiplinger family. Its also an early step in a
reorganization effort by the society, which has struggled to revive ever since its
short-lived effort a decade ago to run a City Museum of Washington proved too
ambitious. Open Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursdays
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Historical Society of Washington, D.C., at the Carnegie
Library, 801 K St. NW. Call 202-393-1420 or visit historydc.org.
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ABOVE AND BEYOND

NOVA PRIDES LGBTUESDAYS AT IOTA
The organization NOVA Pride has recruited Iota to set aside one day every week
to explicitly serve LGBT residents and allies in the Clarendon community, originally started as a promotion of the first annual Northern Virginia Pride Festival,
held last fall. Each Tuesdays event starts with a Smasher Lunch at 11 a.m., and
includes a Happy Hour from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. that kicks off with Mikeys Bar A
Video Wall at 7 p.m. Iota Club and Caf, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. No cover.
Call 703-522-8340 or visit novapride.org. l
stage
Praiseworthy
The real power of Choir Boy is
in its subtle, graceful and
evocative style of storytelling
IGOR DMITRY
by DOUG RULE
F ONLY WE COULD ALL BE A LITTLE MORE LIKE

Pharus Jonathan Young, the lead character in Tarell
McCraneys Choir Boy, now in production at Studio
Theatre.
We first meet Pharus as he sings his schools anthem, Trust
and Obey. Hes gleeful but poised, confident in his abilities to
become the next Choir Lead at Charles R. Drew Preparatory
School for Boys, an African-American school set in an unspecified, present-day location. (President Obamas is one portrait
hanging above designer Jason Sherwoods warm, classically
minded set, as if to suggest hes an alumnus.)
Pharuss poise is quickly ruined when the school bully, Bobby
(an impressionistic Keith Antone), who is also Pharuss main
rival, rattles him mid-song with verbal taunts of sissy and
faggot-ass nigga. Uncharacteristically, but also understandably, Pharus flinches, and in response the schools Headmaster
Marrow (a commanding Marty Austin Lamar) flinches too.
Choir Boy chiefly centers on the headmasters growing concerns about whether Pharus is the right fit to lead his schools
celebrated choir. No question hes the most talented as well as
the most charismatic and lovable but maybe hes just a little too
lovable too sweet, too soft, too sissy-like.
If you didnt know any better, youd be forgiven for thinking
that McCraney wrote the part of Pharus for Jelani Alladin, so
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JANUARY 15, 2015
33
completely does the young actor in Studios production capture

the essence of this sympathetic character. In Alladins hands,
Pharus is slightly more flamboyant than even most gay choristers, but his vivacious personality and enthusiastic expressiveness are the opposite of a character flaw or sign of weakness.
Instead, theyre the source of his strength, and fundamentally
what drives him to succeed.
McCraney explores a lot of topics in his 95-minute, intermission-less play, chief among them the power of music specifically, spirituals to help people find inner-strength to carry
on through pain and strife. Choir Boy uses music as if it were a
musical, weaving it into the fabric of the story. Pharus and the
four other boys we meet at Drew Prep School sing a lot throughout the show, both in the context of their day-to-day existence,
rehearsing or performing with the choir, as well as to further
the plays character development and story exposition. Most
notably, all of the music is gospel or at least gospel-inspired, and
performed a cappella.
Director Kent Gash has corralled a strong group of young
singing actors and helped them realize a way of breaking into
song both naturally and spontaneously,, while remaining in sync
with the narrative and in harmony with one another. In fact, the
few times they dont succeed usually works to enhance the plays
larger point about imperfect boys growing up in an imperfect
world and going to a school focused on nurturing the next
generation of black leaders who cant possibly meet all the
demands placed upon them.
For example, Pharus is consumed with the idea of leadership,
repeatedly questioning if he has what it takes to be a leader. Is
it enough for a leader to be respected, or does he have to be
feared too, he wonders aloud. Its a fair question. The genuinely
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JANUARY 15, 2015
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nice and mostly magnanimous Pharus can only make a play for
peoples respect; he doesnt know or doesnt think he knows
how to make anyone fear him. He also doesnt know how to love,
and generally represses his sexual feelings but one can only go
so far, or so long, living like that, McCraney suggests.
There are a few tear-inducing moments in Choir Boy a
heartbreaking conversation when Pharus talks to his mother
by phone or the way a couple of the boys subtly but surely (and
only privately) show Pharus affection. There are also plenty of
gentle laughs, through clever wordplay and a few choice cultural critiques. But the real power of the piece is in McCraneys
subtle, graceful and evocative style of storytelling. Heartstrings
arent pulled in obviously manipulative ways, were not beaten
on the head about the key themes or takeaways, and everything
remains a little mysterious, more suggestive than definitive. As
with life, in Choir Boy there are few clear or easy or altogether
happy resolutions.
By plays end, the bullied choir boy isnt entirely victorious
and certainly not unscathed in overcoming anti-gay adversity.
And theres just something satisfyingly realistic, particularly
as seen through gay eyes, about the way Pharuss experiences
of being bullied, disrespected, misunderstood or rejected are
shown to have subtly colored his life, and presumably will continue to do so. At the same time, they leave a theatergoer with
few doubts about Pharuss faith to carry on or his ability to look
ahead, to make a future brighter than his past to forgive his
trespassers, if not forget what they did.
Choir Boy (
) runs to Feb. 22 at Studio Theatre, 14th &
P Streets NW. Tickets are $44 to $88. Call 202-332-3300 or visit
studiotheatre.org. l
tech
Sony XBR 900C
Best in Show
CES was dominated by a focus on
4K televisions and curved screens
by RHUARIDH MARR
SONY
VERY YEAR, LAS VEGAS GIVES UP A PORTION

of the Strips acres of convention space to the
Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, to those who
doggedly follow the annual show. For fans of technology in all shapes and sizes, for every room of the house and
the great outdoors, too, CES is the holy land, with thousands
of products from hundreds of exhibitors, showcasing the latest
and greatest in tech. Naturally, some of the worlds largest firms
are present, ready to dazzle us with the shiny, plastic-wrapped
products well devour as consumers over the coming year. From
televisions to audio products to smartphones, weve gathered
the most important announcements from LG, Samsung and Sony
though all three leaned heavily on televisions and the industrys obsession with 4K to bolster their press releases this year.
Sony returned to CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las
Vegas to showcase a product the company was once the undisputed king of: television. Sonys Trinitron sets were the hallmark
for high-quality viewing in the 80s and 90s, but with HDTV and
the introduction of Samsung and other players into the market,
the company had somewhat lost its relevance. Still, the Japanese
electronics giant wasnt exactly going to roll over and admit
defeat. With 4K (also known as UltraHD) being the talk of the
town at CES 2015, Sony decided to show just how powerfully its
manufacturing arm can flex, and debuted its flagship XBR 900C,
which slots in at the top of its Bravia line of TVs.
The set itself is incredibly thin. Available in 55-, 65-, or
75-inch sizes, the 4K/UltraHD/super-high-res displays are just
4.9mm at their thinnest point (thats less than 0.2 inches, for
us Americans). Sony dubs it virtually frameless, and theyre
certainly not lying. These ultra-slim TVs come with Sonys
Triluminos tech to improve picture clarity and color accuracy, as
well as the X1 4K processor, purported to upgrade and enhance
4K footage as well as any other content you plug into or stream
to your TV. Android TV, Googles fast, fluid OS, should make
watching your favorite content simple, while PlayStation Now
is onboard, letting gamers connect a PlayStation controller and
stream PS3 games no console required.
The price? Well, if you have to ask, you likely cant afford
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JANUARY 15, 2015
35
Walkman ZX2
and Sony isnt revealing it, which should be another hint that a
second mortgage might be on the cards for the 75-inch model.
Still, if you can afford them, Sony is also offering choice, in the
form of the slightly chunkier XBR X930C and X940C sets (these
names roll off the tongue, we know), in 65- and 75-inch variants
respectively, which swap out extreme thinness for front-facing,
powerful speakers. Both come with the same image processor
and Android/PlayStation capabilities as their svelte siblings. For
the rest of us there are 4K screens ranging from 43- to 75-inches,
which should carry more palatable price tags.
Fans of high-quality audio now have another option for listening to their favorite music: enter the original king of portable
audio (Sony has lost quite a few thrones in the past decade or
so), the Walkman the Walkman ZX2, to be specific. The long
and short of it? This is strictly for audiophiles, not people who
think Spotify is good enough for enjoying their music catalogue.
Crafted from aluminum and leather, it isnt intended to compete
with the iPod touch. In fact, the ZX2 would likely spit on the
iPod for settling for iTunes-quality mp3s.
Heres some facts for those of you who know whats what in
the audio world (disclaimer: I havent a clue what half of this
means). Sony claims the ZX2 is capable of beyond-CD quality,
thanks to its S-Master HX digital amp, DSEE HX processing
(which recreates high-frequency information in mosic thats
lost in normal audio files), up to 192 kHz/24-bit audio, support
for MP3, WMA, FLAC, linear PCM, WAV, AAC-LC, HE-AAC,
Apple Lossless, AIFF, and DSD, and gold-plated copper plate,
oxygen-free copper cables, and high purity lead-free solder to
help bolster sound quality. Theres even more crammed into the
ZX2s frame to aid audio quality, but well settle for this: the ZX2
will blow most other portable music players out of the water.
With 60 hours of MP3 playback and 33 hours of Hi-Res Audio
playback, Android 4.2 which brings all of Googles OS and apps
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JANUARY 15, 2015
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to the device, a 4.0-inch Triluminos display, WiFi, Bluetooth and

NFC, among other such inclusions, the ZX2 is crammed full of
technology. Of course, its niche appeal is reflected in its price:
this isnt something youll use to listen to music at the gym or to
sing along to while sitting on the subway. This is a leisure device
for audio purists, and has a price tag to match. How much?
Sony will be asking over $1,100 when it launches later this year
though final pricing has yet to be confirmed, this is a pretty
confident estimate.
And finally, of course, Sony couldnt leave the stage at CES
without discussing all of the drama surround The Interview and
the subsequent hacking scandal which threatened to dismantle Sony Pictures Entertainment. According to Engadget, Sony
President Kaz Hirai paused briefly during his press conference,
before saying: Freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of association those are very important lifebloods and lifelines of Sony and our entertainment business. You do you, Sony.
This year, LG made sure that everyone who visited its stand
got a literal eyeful of its products. LG was all about displays in
Sin City, from the vast to the easily pocketed, and almost all with
one thing in common: curves. Yes, just like 3D before it, curved
screens are the current du jour feature for flagship televisions
and monitors, and no other company with perhaps the exception of Samsung is flaunting its curves as often as LG.
Indeed, all of this years buzzwords make it into LGs latest
TVs. UltraHD (also known as 4K)? Check. Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens? Theyve got them. Fantastically thin
bezels? Of course. Curved glass displays? You betcha.
LG brought no fewer than seven 4K OLED TVs to CES, available with flat or curved displays and ranging from 55- to 77-inches and featuring LGs Art Slim design to minimize clutter and
distractions around the display area. Of course, if you have the
money for LGs top-of-the-line 77EG9900 set, youll never have
SUHD
G Flex 2
to choose between flat or curved again it builds on a concept

LG showcased last year and features a body flexible enough to
move between flat and curved by itself. This is the future, people!
The pricing of these new sets has yet to be announced, but
last years 77-inch OLED flagship started at an eye-watering
$25,000 and it wasnt able to transform between flat and
curved, so this years flagship could potentially cost even more.
Pricing for the cheaper sets will vary, but dont expect to pick
one up without some significant savings in your bank or a relative youre not averse to selling.
Smartphones are one area where curved screens are still taking their first, tentative steps. LG and Samsung have led the market, each bringing out devices with curved screens last year to
test the waters with a wary public. Neither device was a runaway
success, but that hasnt hindered LG from developing a follow up
to its model, the G Flex, with the appropriately named G Flex 2.
In every way possible, its a substantial upgrade.
Out goes its predecessors 6-inch, 720p screen, and in comes
a 5.5-inch 1080p dispplay, coated in chemically treated Gorilla
Glass which is 20 percent more durable than the standard clear
stuff. Making its return is the somewhat magical self-healing
plastic build, which last year could heal minor scratches and
imperfections in three minutes. This time around, if you scuff
your G Flex 2, expect it to sort its wounds in just ten seconds.
Inside lies the most powerful mobile chip currently available,
Qualcomms eight-core Snapdragon 810, paired to a meaty 2GB
of DDR4 RAM and powering Android 5.0 Lollipop, while storage is either 16 or 32GB of storage. Charging the G Flex 2 should
be easy, too, thanks to a battery and charger which can yield a
fifty-percent charge in just forty minutes, while image capture
is improved with the inclusion of the G3 smartphones 13MP
optically-stabilized camera and its laser-powered autofocus.
Of course, the G Flexs party trick remains. As its name would
suggest, this curved smartphone, which comes in silver or a gorgeous claret red, can bend. Quite dramatically, actually, with
the smartphone always returning to its original, slightly curved,
shape no matter how hard you flex the device (within reason, of
course). In an era of Bendgate with the iPhone 6 Plus and the
need for cases to protect from scrapes and scuffs, its nice to see
LG thinking outside the box a little when it comes to durable
smartphone design. Pricing and release date are unannounced,
but AT&T has already confirmed that they will carry the G Flex 2.
Samsung, comparatively, had a relatively demure CES.
There were few major announcements, with the company going
through the motions with regards most of the devices it had on
show. As with the rest of CES, Samsung was on-hand to further
confuse consumers with an onslaught of 4K/Ultra HD/UHD
displays, except the South Korean company saw fit to further
add fuel to the acronym-heavy fire with the reveal of its latest
flagship display technology: SUHD.
Lets clear something up: that S, which stands for Super,
doesnt bring any great resolution over normal UHD rivals.
Samsung hasnt crammed any extra pixels in to warrant the
super prefix, so what makes its new sets so fantastic? Well,
perhaps most notably, theyre the first mass-produced TVs to
offer HDR content. Yes, its yet another acronym, but HDR is
something smartphone users will be familiar with, and stands
for high dynamic range. In laymans terms? Your new Samsung
TV is capable of offer bright, richer images with better contrast
and detail.
The improvement in image quality is backed up by a rather
eye-popping 500 nits of brightness (Samsung claims its twice as
bright as standard televisions), 10-bit panels, and Quantum Dot
color technology which claims to use 50,000 minute crystals in
the display to improve contrast and brightness, as well as reproduce colors a purported 64 times better than normal televisions.
Naturally, Samsungs new sets are curved, and theyre available
in sizes stretching from 48- to a breathtaking 88-inches.
As with LG and its webOS smart TV software, Samsung is
leveraging its homegrown Tizen OS to power its new TVs. The
software promises to offer enhanced responsiveness, while
keeping all of your content to a single, scrollable screen to
reduce clutter and confusion. Of course, Samsungs unusuallynamed Milk music- and video-streaming service is onboard,
as well as Sonys PlayStation Now gaming service a nice
touch if youre not keen on one of Sonys own sets, or ruining
your home cinema setup with a games console and its many
wires. Unfortunately, Samsung is remaining tight-lipped on
pricing and release dates for its SUHD TVs, but, as with LG,
this much technology especially at larger sizes isnt going
to be cheap.
One of the most intriguing products Samsung announced at
CES wasnt a glitzy TV or 360-degree speaker (though it had
both on offer). Instead, it was something more humble: a portable, external drive. The unassumingly named Portable SSD
T1, though, is arguably something everyone should know about.
As its name would suggest, its a drive of the solid-state variety,
which means blistering read and write speeds 450 MB/s for
both via USB 3.0 for its 250GB, 500GB or 1TB of storage. All
that speed is rather reasonably priced, too, given this is SSD
technology, with the lowest storage option starting at $180,
reaching up to $600 for the full terabyte. In bang-for-bucks
terms, its an incredible deal, letting those with a lot of data to
carry around finally have both speedy performance and high
capacity without completely draining their account. Expect the
T1 to reach stores this January. l
METROWEEKLY.COM
JANUARY 15, 2015
37
gears
Ford GT
Future Perfect
by RHUARIDH MARR
HE NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO

Show Detroit Auto Show, to save time, or NAIAS
for acronym enthusiasts is the holy grail of car
shows. For American consumers, its where were
most likely to see the models well be driving within the next
year or so, a chance for manufacturers to whet our appetites
and pry open our checkbooks as we drool over the latest, greatest sheetmetal. And dammit, it works this year will certainly
38
JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
go down as one of the finest shows in recent memory, not least

because it marked the launch of the latest iteration of Americas
greatest racing icon: the Ford GT. Yes, folks, the Ford GT has
stepped up for just its third version in more than half a century
and really, all other news is a moot point after that fact, but
for the sake of journalism, variety, and the fact that there were
plenty of other great cars on offer, heres our choices for some of
the best cars of the NAIAS.
FORD GT
Of course we had to start with this. Lets cut right to the chase:
this is not your fathers GT40. Unlike the mid-00s retroinspired Ford GT, which brought V8 muscle and a 60s aesthetic
to the supercar party, this GT which enters production in 2016
is thoroughly modern. That aggressively sliced, aerodynamic
bodywork is crafted from carbon fiber and aluminum to save
weight. Gone are the eight-cylinders of old, replaced with Fords
twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 and before you balk at that
fact, the engine shoves more than 600 horsepower to the GTs
rear-wheels, and has one of the best power-to-weight ratios of
ALL IMAGES PRIOVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURERS
The Detroit Auto Show offered

a tantalizing glimpse at the cars
well be driving and drooling
over in the near future
any production car, according to Ford. The engine,

Fords most powerful EcoBoost engine ever, is mated
to a seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox for slick, fast
gear changes. Under the chassis, an active racingstyle torsion bar and pushrod suspension with adjustable ride height ensure the GT is equipped to tackle
the best supercars from Europe and Japan, while
20-inch wheels with super-grippy, specially-designed
Michelin rubber will help keep you stuck to the
pavement. As for stopping all of that power? Carbonceramic brakes are fitted to each wheel to stop any
embarrassing accidents from occurring. Inside the
GTs cabin, accessed through upward-swinging scissor doors, an F1-style steering wheel offers numerous
driver aids and controls within easy reach, while a
fully-configurable, digital instrument cluster ensures
that only the required information is shown as you
tackle a mountain pass or rocket down the highway.
The emphasis on modernity and technology, in favor
of the old GTs rather more mechanical roots, is to
help customers benefit from the ultimate performance Ford and its new-generation innovations,
according to Ford.
Indeed, Ford claims that the new GT was crafted to
make peoples hearts pound. Mission accomplished.
Buick Avenir
BUICK AVENIR
This isnt a car you can expect to drive any time soon,
so dont get your hopes up, but Buicks graceful Avenir
concept deserves a mention regardless. The massive
four-door (which is bigger than a Cadillac Escalade)
is a marriage of Buick design traditions, including its
sweep-spear bodyside and VentiPorts, and a glimpse
at future production vehicles from the brand fitting,
given Avenir is French for future. Its design, a collaboration of Buicks global design team, was intended
to really [take] your breath away, by representing
a break from convention and progressiveness in
technology. What does all of that marketing-speak
translate into? A beautiful concept car whose beauty
isnt skin deep. Under the surface, a direct-injected
V6 with fuel savings features like stop/start and active
fuel management purrs away, connected to a ninespeed auto and shifting the Avenir via a twin-clutch
all-wheel-drive system. Inside the Avenir, youll find
Buicks next-gen infotainment system, Intellilink,
complete with a 12-inch touch screen and driverrecognition features such as automatically synced
preferences for navigation and calendar events. In the
rear, passengers can connect their devices to video
screens, while relaxing in premium leather seats and rich carpeting. Buick arent saying if well see any or all of the Avenirs
features in a new model any time soon but if they can successfully distill it into a production model, theyve surely got a hit on
their hands.
VOLKSWAGEN CROSS COUPE GTE
We kind of wish Volkswagen would stop teasing its next-gen

crossover and just build the damn thing already. Volkswagen
first showed elements of this design in 2013, with the CrossBlue
concept, then followed it with last years CrossBlue Coupe at the
Shanghai Motor Show. Now, weve got the Cross Coupe GTE,
and perhaps the closest look at what VWs midsize SUV will look
VW Cross Coupe GTE
Chevy Bolt
like when it eventually reaches dealers in the next two years.

For now, the GTE offers a lot to like. Its power comes from a
VR6 engine, which teams its 276 horsepower with two electric
motors, one mounted to each axle. The front motor outputs 54
horsepower, while the rear offers a punchier 114 horses, giving
the Cross Coupe a total output of 355 horsepower and 280 lb-ft
of torque (no, the math doesnt add up for us, either) when the
three motors are working together, good enough for a 0-60 mph
time of six seconds. It operates in a fuel-saving EV-only mode
for up to 20 miles, can reach up to 70 MPGe, and offers a variety of modes for on- and off-road driving. Thats great and all,
Volkswagen, but why do we have to wait until the end of 2016
for your Tennessee plant to start building it?
METROWEEKLY.COM
JANUARY 15, 2015
39
Chevy Volt
power alone. Sure, Tesla may have the EV market

cornered with the 250+ mile range in its Model S
sedan, but that car starts at $70,000. Chevys Bolt
EV envisions a production model that costs just
$30,000. Its design is heavily-inspired by Chevys
compact models, with minimal overhangs and a
spacious greenhouse. Inside youll find an interior
that wouldnt look out of place in a future version of
the Chevy Sonic save for the Volt-inspired digital
instrument cluster. Unlike the Model S, Chevrolet
were going for attainability, not exclusivity, and the
Bolts envisioned price is intended to reflect that.
Thats not to say its lacking in the futuristic hallmarks of a concept, though. Via
a smartphone app, its possible to unlock
the car, tell the Bolt to park and retrieve
itself, offer ride-sharing to other users
with payment options built into the app,
as well as connect with the cars 10-inch
display to access all of the content stored
on the phone. Theres no indication of any
future production model this is purely a
design concept but it showcases General
Motors intent to get serious on electric
vehicles in the future.
ACURA NSX
CHEVROLET VOLT AND CHEVROLET BOLT
Chevrolet brought two forward-thinking vehicles to Detroit this

year: the next iteration of its Volt EV, and an all-new concept EV
called the Bolt.
The 2016 Volt represents a minor improvement over the
outgoing model, more a refresh than a complete overhaul. The
range-extending EV, which uses a small gas engine to charge its
battery when depleted, increases its electric-only range from 38
to 50 miles, and obtain 102 MPGe compared with the old Volts
98 MPGe, though the Volts battery and engine are both new.
The former increases its rating to 18.4-kWh, while the latter is a
new, 1.5 liter four-cylinder engine, up from the old cars 1.4 liter
unit, which Chevy claims will offer more power with less noise.
Outside, the Volts stylish face has been given a subtle tweaking,
somewhat dulling the old cars good looks, while inside there
are customer-driven improvements such as better driving characteristics, better refinement, a better storage compartment for
the charging cable, and a new regenerative braking system with
better braking feel and adjustable levels. Indeed, while the Volt
looks less futuristic than it previously did, Chevrolet is making a
conscious effort to appeal to more consumers its interior may
be less touch-focused than old, but its much more usable, while
theres now five seats as opposed to the previous models four. If
you like the look of the new Volt, the fuel-sipping car hits showrooms in the second half of 2015.
However, its hardly the most forward-thinking of vehicles,
as impressive as its range-extending motor may be. General
Motors is clearly aware that 50 miles of electric range isnt
the best, which is why theyve introduced the Chevrolet Bolt
concept in Detroit capable of travelling 200 miles on battery40
JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
Ford isnt the only mass-market automaker with a supercar on the horizon. Honda,
makers of the reliable CR-V and Civic,
dabbled with a high-performance vehicle
Acura NSX
in the late 80s, eventually giving birth to
the much-loved and often celebrated NSX
supercar. Here in the States, it was Hondas Acura brand which
sold the car, and the Acura NSX carved its own little space in
supercar history as an affordable, attractive barnstormer of a
car. Light, fast and surprisingly brilliant, a new version has been
hotly anticipated since the old car went to the scrapyard in the
sky in 2005.
Its finally here. After years of teasing, Honda is ready to
show the final car in all of its glory wearing Acura branding
for its Detroit debut, naturally and what theyve delivered is
something pretty incredible. It doesnt stray too far from the
2013 concept NSX on the outside, which is good, as the car is
gorgeous. The NSXs exterior design project leader, Michelle
Christensen, stated that the NSX uses Interwoven Dynamic
design, which she believes blends the best parts of exotic sports
car form with supercar function. Under the dramatic exterior
lies a chassis thats made from a variety of materials, chief among
which is aluminum, which should make the NSX strong and
light. Carbon-fiber flooring and high-strength steel pillars round
out the NSXs metalwork, making for a taut car which, combined
with its independent front and rear suspension, brake torque
vectoring and ceramic brakes should make for an intense driving
experience. Powering all of this Japanese beauty? A longitudinally mounted, turbocharged, dry-sump V6 capable of outputting more than 550 horsepower. Thats not all, though, because
the engine works in conjunction with three electric motors to
drive all four of the NSXs wheels, something Acura are referring
to as Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. The 2016
NSX is expected to hit dealers this summer with a price starting
around $150,000, but if Honda/Acura can get it right, it should
be worth every penny. l
METROWEEKLY.COM
JANUARY 15, 2015
41
42
JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
NIGHT
LIFE
LISTINGS
THURS., 01.15.15
9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm Multiple
TVs showing movies,
shows, sports Expanded
craft beer selection No
Cover
ANNIES/ANNIES
UPSTAIRS
4@4 Happy Hour, 4pm-7pm
$4 Small Plates, $4 Stella
Artois, $4 House Wines,
$4 Stolichnaya Cocktails,
$4 Manhattans and Vodka
Martinis
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: $6 Call
Martini, $3 Miller Lite, $4
Rail, $5 Call, 4-9pm $3
Rail Drinks, 10pm-midnight,
$5 Red Bull, Gatorade
and Frozen Virgin Drinks
Locker Room Thursday
Nights DJs Sean Morris
and MadScience Ripped
Hot Body Contest at midnight, hosted by Sasha
J. Adams and BaNaka
$200 Cash Prize Doors
open 10pm, 18+ $5 Cover
under 21 and free with
college ID
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
DC Leather Pride presents Welcome to MAL
2015, 9pm Featuring
International Mr. Leather
Ramien Pierre Shirtless
Thursday, 10-11pm
Featuring music by DJs
BacK2bACk
NELLIES SPORTS BAR

Beat The Clock Happy Hour
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
Beer $15
JR.S
$3 Rail Vodka Highballs, $2
JR.s drafts, 8pm to close
Throwback Thursday featuring rock/pop retro hits
METROWEEKLY.COM
43
44
JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
scene
Freddies Beach Bar
Saturday, January 10
scan this tag
with your
smartphone
for bonus scene
pics online!
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
WARD MORRISON
NUMBER NINE
drink, 5-9pm No Cover
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers
Shirtless Thursday DJ
Tim-e in Secrets 9pm
Cover 21+
FRI., 01.16.15
9 1/2
Open at 5pm Happy Hour:
2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
Friday Night Videos with
resident DJ Shea Van Horn
VJ Expanded craft beer
selection No cover
ANNIES
4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm
Martinis Upstairs open
5-11pm
COBALT/30 DEGREES
All You Can Drink Happy
Hour $15 Rail &
Domestic, $21 Call &
Imports, 6-9pm Guys

Night Out Free Rail
Vodka, 11pm-Midnight, $6
Belvedere Vodka Drinks all
night DJ Keenan Orr in
Cobalt, DJ Barronhawk in
30 Degrees $10 cover
10pm-1am, $5 after 1am
21+
DC BEAR CRUE
@Town Bear Happy
Hour, 6-11pm $4 Bud
Light & Bud Light Platinum
bottles, $4 Draft Pints, $8
Draft Pitchers Free Pizza,
7pm Hosted by Charger
Stone No cover Entry
ends at 9:30pm 21+
Cigar Party on Heated
Outdoor Patio Standard
drink prices on patio til
11pm
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
GLORIOUS HEALTH
CLUB
Mid-Atlantic Leather CODE
Rubber/Uniform/Skin/
Leather Dress Code Party,
10pm-4am Featuring DJ
Erik Gruber and DJ MF
21+ $40 per night or $60
for weekend pass Tickets
available at MAL host hotel
or online at forttroff.com or
codedc.com
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm New
Gay App GRUNT presents
1 Nation Under GODS
Featuring adult lm star
Francois Sagat debuting
KickSagat Gear, Andrew
Christian model Pablo
Hernandez and DJ Jack
Chang, 10pm-close $12
Cover
HYATT REGENCY ON
CAPITOL HILL
Mister International
Rubber Cocktail Party in
the Thornton Room, 7-9pm
Extreme0 Dance Party,
hosted by the Highwaymen,
in Regency B, 10pm-2am
JR.S
Buy 1, Get 1, 11pm-midnight Happy Hour: 2-for1, 4-9pm $5 Coronas, $8
Vodka Red Bulls, 9pm-close
NELLIES SPORTS BAR

DJ Matt Bailer Videos,
Dancing Beat The Clock
Happy Hour $2 (5-6pm),
$3 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm)
Buckets of Beer $15
NUMBER NINE
Open 5pm Happy Hour: 2
for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
No Cover
PHASE 1
DJ Styalo Dancing
$5 cover
over, $5 from 10-11pm and

$10 after 11pm For those
18-20, $12 all night 18+
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers,
hosted by LaTroya Nicole
Ladies of Illusion with host
Kristina Kelly, 9pm DJ
Steve Henderson in Secrets
DJ Don T. in Ziegfelds
Cover 21+
SAT., 01.17.15
PWS SPORTS BAR

9855 Washington Blvd. N
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
Drag Show in lounge
Half-price burgers and fries,
4-8pm
9 1/2
$5 Absolut & Titos, $3
Miller Lite after 9pm
Expanded craft beer selection No Cover
TOWN
Drag Show starts at
10:30pm Hosted by Lena
Lett and featuring Miss
Tatianna, Shi-QueetaLee, Epiphany B. Lee
and BaNaka DJ Wess
upstairs, BacK2bACk
downstairs Doors open
at 10pm For those 21 and
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Drag Yourself to Brunch
at Level One, 11am-2 and
2-4pm Featuring Kristina
Kelly and the Ladies of
Illusion Bottomless
Mimosas and Bloody
Marys Happy Hour: $3
Miller Lite, $4 Rail, $5
Call, 4-9pm The ladies of
METROWEEKLY.COM
LURe present BARE Dance

Partys 6th Anniversary
Featuring DJs Rosie Hicks
and Keenan Orr Also
featuring Chris Jay Photo
& Video in Photo Set-up
Plus DystRucXion Dancers
and a performance by The
DC Kings Brolo honoring
Phase 1 staff Dance
competition, 1 am, hosted
by DJ MadScience Cash
prizes Doors open 10pm
21+ with photo ID Free
entry for those who can
prove they worked at Phase
1 Capitol Hill
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Diner-style Breakfast
Buffet, 10am-3pm
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Freddies Follies Drag
Show 8pm-10pm, hosted
by Ms. Destiny B. Childs
Karaoke, 10pm-1am
GLORIOUS HEALTH
CLUB
Mid-Atlantic Leather CODE
Rubber/Uniform/Skin/
Leather Dress Code Party,
10pm-4am Featuring
JANUARY 15, 2015
45
DJs Chord, David Merrill

& Marx 21+ $40 per
night or $60 for weekend
pass Tickets available at
MAL host hotel or online at
forttroff.com or codedc.com
NUMBER NINE
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Bears Can Dance MAL
Celebration, 9pm-close
Featuring DJ Jeff Eletto
No Cover
PWS SPORTS BAR

Karaoke in the lounge
Charity Bingo with Cash
Prizes 3rd Sat. of Every
Month Half-price cheesesteaks and fries, 4-8pm
HYATT REGENCY ON
CAPITOL HILL
Leather Cocktails (sold out
event), 7-9pm in Regency
Ballroom MAUL Report
for Duty Uniform Party,
10pm-2am in Congressional
B FxCK Dance Party,
10pm-3am in Regency B,
C and D
TOWN
MIXTAPE Dance Party,
10pm-close DJs Shea
Van Horn and Matt Bailer
Drag Show starts at
10:30pm Hosted by Lena
Lett and featuring Miss
Tatianna, Shi-QueetaLee, Epiphany B. Lee and
BaNaka Music and videos by DJ Wess downstairs
Cover $8 from 10-11pm,
$12 after 11pm 21+
JR.S
$4 Coors, $5 Vodka highballs, $7 Vodka Red Bulls
NELLIES
Guest DJs Zing Zang
Bloody Marys, Nellie Beer,
House Rail Drinks and
Mimosas, $4, 11am-5pm
Buckets of Beer, $15
46
JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
PHASE 1
Dancing, 9pm-close
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Men of Secrets, 9pm
Guest dancers Ladies
of Illusion with host Ella
Fitzgerald, 9pm DJ Steve
Henderson in Secrets
DJ Joey O in Ziegfelds
Doors 8pm Cover 21+
SUN., 01.18.15
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
Cover
9:30 CLUB
Reaction: MALs Closing
Dance Party, 9pm-4am
Featuring DJ James DJ
Dub Graham $35 in
advance with registration,
$45 at door
COBALT/30 DEGREES
BLUF: DC (Breaches &
Leather Uniform Fanclub),
4pm-10pm General
admission $10 in gear, $15
without gear $4 Stoli
and Miller Lite all day
Homowood Karaoke, 10pmclose
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Champagne Brunch Buffet,
10am-3pm Crazy Hour,

4-7pm Karaoke 8pm-1am
1 on any drink, 5-9pm

No Cover
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Upstairs: The
NeedlExchange presents
Honcho Dance Party, 9pm
$9 in advance, $12 at door
Downstairs: Mamas
Trailer Park Karaoke,
9:30pm-close
TOWN
WTF: All You Can Eat
Dance Party, 10pm-close
Featuring various DJs
Free from 10-11pm, $5 after
11pm 21+
JR.S
Sunday Funday Liquid
Brunch Doors open at
1pm $2 Coors Lights &
$3 Skyy (all avors), all day
and night
NELLIES
Drag Brunch, hosted by
Shi-Queeta-Lee, 11am-3pm
$20 Brunch Buffet
House Rail Drinks, Zing
Zang Bloody Marys, Nellie
Beer and Mimosas, $4,
11am-close Buckets of
Beer, $15
NUMBER NINE
Pop Goes the World with
Wes Della Volla at 9:30
pm Happy Hour: 2 for
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Decades of Dance DJ
Tim-e in Secrets Doors
8pm Cover 21+
MON., 01.19.15
9 1/2
Multiple TVs showing
movies, shows, sports
ANNIES
4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm
Martinis
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: $2 Rail, $3
Miller Lite, $5 Call, 4-9pm
Drag Show hosted by
Kristina Kelly Doors open
at 10pm, show starts at
11pm $3 Skyy Cocktails,
$8 Skyy and Red Bull No
Cover, 18+
FREDDIES
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour All Night Long,
4pm-close Michaels
Open Mic Night Karaoke,
9:30pm-close
JR.S
Happy Hour: 2-for-1, 4-9pm
Showtunes Songs &
Singalongs, 9pm-close
DJ Jamez $3 Drafts
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
Beer $15 Poker Texas
Holdem, 8pm Dart
Boards
NUMBER NINE
No Cover
TUES., 01.20.15
9 1/2
Multiple TVs showing
movies, shows, sports
ANNIES
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $4
Stella Artois, $4 House
Wines, $4 Stolichnaya
Cocktails, $4 Manhattans
and Vodka Martinis
COBALT/30 DEGREES
SIN Industry Night
Half-price Cocktails, 10pmclose
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour All Night Long,
4pm-close
JR.S
Underground (Indie Pop/Alt/
Brit Rock), 9pm-close DJ
Wes Della Volla 2-for-1,
all day and night
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
Beer $15 Karaoke and
Drag Bingo
NUMBER NINE
No Cover Safe Word: A
Gay Spelling Bee, 8-11pm
Prizes to top three
spellers After 9pm, $3
Absolut, Bulleit & Stella
WED., 01.21.15
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
METROWEEKLY.COM

Cover
ANNIES
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $4
Stella Artois, $4 House
Wines, $4 Stolichnaya
Cocktails, $4 Manhattans
and Vodka Martinis
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Wednesday Night
Karaoke downstairs, 10pm
$4 Stoli and Stoli Flavors
and Miller Lite No Cover
21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm $6
Burgers Drag Bingo
Night, hosted by Ms.
Regina Jozet Adams
Karaoke, 10pm-1am
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Upstairs: The Boys of
HUMP, 9pm-1am
JR.S
Trivia with MC Jay Ray,
8pm The Queen, 10-11pm
JANUARY 15, 2015
47
$2 JRs Drafts & $4

Vodka ($2 with College I.D./
JRs Team Shirt)

Cover
FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
NELLIES SPORTS BAR

SmartAss Trivia Night, 8pm
and 9pm Prizes include
bar tabs and tickets to
shows at the 9:30 Club
$15 Buckets of Beer for
SmartAss Teams only
Bring a new team member
and each get a free $10
Dinner
ANNIES/ANNIES
UPSTAIRS
4@4 Happy Hour, 4pm-7pm
Martinis
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Shirtless Thursday,
10-11pm Featuring music
by DJs BacK2bACk
NUMBER NINE
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Shirtless Night, 10-11pm,
12-12:30am Military
Night, no cover with
military ID DJ Don T. in
Secrets 9pm Cover 21+
THURS., 01.22.15
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
48
JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: $6 Call
Martini, $3 Miller Lite, $4
Rail, $5 Call, 4-9pm $3
Rail Drinks, 10pm-midnight,
$5 Red Bull, Gatorade
and Frozen Virgin Drinks
Locker Room Thursday
Nights DJs Sean Morris
and MadScience Ripped
Hot Body Contest at midnight, hosted by Sasha
J. Adams and BaNaka
$200 Cash Prize Doors
open 10pm, 18+ $5 Cover
under 21 and free with
college ID
JR.S
$3 Rail Vodka Highballs, $2
JR.s drafts, 8pm to close
Throwback Thursday featuring rock/pop retro hits
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
Beer $15 Drag Bingo
NUMBER NINE
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Shirtless Thursday DJ
Tim-e in Secrets 9pm
Cover 21+ l
SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE
49
BY DOUG RULE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIAN VANKIM
CLUBLIFE
Reactionary
Former Tracks DJ James Graham makes a return to MALs popular Reaction Dance
REMEMBER THE
first night that I auditioned at Tracks,
James Graham says.
Marty [Chernoff] the
owner came up to me at
the end of the night and
said, I want to just make
sure this isnt a fluke.
He scheduled Graham for
50
JANUARY 15, 2015
the very next weekend,

Halloween 1994, to see if
lightning would strike twice.
Did it ever: Graham became
a weekly resident at Tracks,
playing until the fabled
nightclub closed in 1999.
Graham has made it
something of a lifelong tradition to pleasantly surprise
people chiefly through
METROWEEKLY.COM
his love of dance music. If

you can imagine me growing up in New York, then
coming to Washington,
where my neighborhood
was predominantly Latino
and black, and Im liking
soul and disco, he recalls.
So they were like, What
the hell is he listening to?
And when I first started

playing in different clubs,
he continues, house music
was always looked down
upon as either [too] gay or
too black. There were all
these stigmas attached to
it. Im so happy that weve
gotten past that.
Graham is neither gay
nor black, but whether at
Tracks, or the now-closed

Badlands, among other
hot spots around D.C.,
Graham has often played
to a mixed crowd, if not
a predominantly gay one.
He was just wired that
way. Bless my mothers
soul, she was a Quaker,
he explains. She believed
that you cant judge people,
and I was raised that way.
Somebodys sexual preference, somebodys skin
color, someones religion
you were born that way,

and thats the way it is....
Growing up with different
people, both gay/straight,
black/white/whatever, it just
provided me that opportunity to not be a judgmental
person and understanding
that music is...for everybody.
Graham got hooked on
nightlife early, tagging along
with his uncle, who was
a club lighting and sound
engineer throughout the
Mid-Atlantic region. He
eventually gravitated to the

turntables. Last decade, he
even co-owned the DJ Hut,
the record store for DJs
that briefly occupied the
space on P Street in Dupont
Circle where 12 Inch Dance
Records once reigned.
That was my love until the
music industry went upside
down, he says. My
dream of owning a record
store quickly disappeared.
After a decade of spinning every Saturday night
at Georgetowns former
swanky spot Mie N Yu,
Graham took a little time
off as a club DJ and began
working as a manager at a
car dealership in Virginia.
But hes now raring to get
back behind the turntables
in a bigger way. Im really
wanting to take this on the
road, if you will, he says.
And hes eager to show
that last years great set
at Mid-Atlantic Leathers
Reaction dance wasnt
any more of a fluke than
his debut at Tracks two
decades ago. Reaction
organizer Danny Linden has
brought him back to be the
partys sole DJ, allowing
him to give partygoers a
true musical journey from
open to close.
I like all dance music,
he says, [but] I prefer syrupy, soulful type of stuff.
And thats the right overall
vibe for a Sunday night
party such as Reaction.
Youre winding down from
crazy Friday and Saturday
nights, he notes, so
youre coming into Sunday
and you dont want to beat
the horse too bad.
But that doesnt mean
he wont throw in a little
bit of tribal percussion, or
a little bit of edge courtesy of a choice cut or two
from Tiesto, Above and
Beyond or another of the
better producers in todays
EDM scene. Graham strives
to remain as current now
as ever.
Im creeping up in
age, he says, but musically and mentally Im still
that twenty-something/
thirty-something guy that
was jumping around all the
different clubs.
The Reaction Dance is this
Sunday, Jan. 18. Doors at
9 p.m. 9:30 Club, 815 V
St. NW. Tickets are $35 in
advance, or $45 on the day
of the event. Call 202-2650930 or visit 930.com or
leatherweekend.com. l
METROWEEKLY.COM
JANUARY 15, 2015
51
scene
Fireplace
Friday, January 9
scan this tag
with your
smartphone
for bonus scene
pics online!
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
WARD MORRISON
52
53
Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your inspiration. Thank you for your patience. And
thank you for letting us be a part of the change.
JEFFREY TAMBOR, star of Amazon Studios Transparent, in his acceptance speech after winning the Golden Globe for Best
Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy. Tambor plays Maura Pfefferman, a middle-aged man who comes out to his family and
starts living as a woman over the course of the series. I would like to dedicate my performance and this award to the transgender community, Tambor said, adding, This is much bigger than me. Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press for putting us
on the map and making people aware of our story.
We will make them normal.

We will have a centre for them. Like
Alcoholics Anonymous
centres, we will have centres
Goas Sports and Youth Affairs Minister RAMESH TAWADKAR speaking to journalists in the Indian states capital, Panaji, The
Hindu reports. Mr Tawadkar was announcing a series of centers specifically for LGBT youth, where the government will train
them and [give them] medicines too, in an effort to help stigmatised LGBT youths, who apparently require focused attention,
the paper quotes Tawadkar as saying.
I smiled, said hello [and]

told the Westboro Baptist folks we loved each of them.
Openly gay Christian rock singer VICKY BEECHING, speaking via her Twitter account about her interaction with anti-gay
Westboro Baptist Church members, who were protesting her keynote speech at the Gay Christian Network
conference in Portland.
South Dakota law

deprives them of that right solely because they are
same-sex
couples and without sufficient justification.
U.S. District Judge KAREN SCHREIER, in a decision which ruled that South Dakotas ban on same-sex marriages was unconstitutional. Schreier put a stay on her ruling, pending an appeal from the state, so marriage remains on hold for
South Dakotas gay population.
To the generation that we lost and the people we continue to lose due to this disease, I just want to say
we love you, we remember you.
MATT BOMER, in his acceptance speech after winning Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series, Movie, or Miniseries at the Golden
Globes for his role as Felix Turner in HBOs The Normal Heart, which is adapted from Larry Kramers play about the
rise of HIV/AIDS in New York Citys gay population in the 80s.
54
JANUARY 15, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
METROWEEKLY.COM
JANUARY 15, 2015
55

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JANUARY 15, 2015

JANUARY 15, 2015

JANUARY 15, 2015

JANUARY 15, 2015

JANUARY 15, 2015

FORTUNE 500S EARN

SALES & MARKETING

OUT ON THE TOWN

DETROIT AUTO SHOW

FREDDIES BEACH BAR

JAMES GRAHAM SPINS

2015 Jansi LLC.

JANUARY 15, 2015

JANUARY 15, 2015

Now online at MetroWeekly.com

Fire Chiefs Firing Lights

JANUARY 15, 2015

he authored the book identifying himself

religious views did not play a role in

JANUARY 15, 2015

JANUARY 15, 2015

in his duties as the citys chief executive.

LGBT rights organization Equality Virginia honors companies for

QUALITY VIRGINIA, THE

policies that do not discriminate against

JANUARY 15, 2015

JANUARY 15, 2015

and retain the best employees, added

ate, like Northern Virginia or Hampton

JANUARY 15, 2015

Freddies Beach Bar in Arlington. Free appetizers

CENTER POLY DISCUSSION GROUP, for those

interested in learning about polyamory and nonmonagamous relationships, meets at The DC

THE DC CENTER invites community members to

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session at

HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker Health. The

JANUARY 15, 2015

in Gaithersburg, 414 East Diamond Ave., and in

METROHEALTH CENTER offers free, rapid HIV

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5 p.m., by

Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW.

WOMENS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE for young

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL HEALTH offers

IDENTITY offers free and confidential HIV testing

free HIV testing, 9-5 p.m., and HIV services (by

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session

at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr. SW. 6:30-8 p.m. Visit

GAY DISTRICT holds facilitated discussion for

GBTQ men, 18-35, first and third Fridays. 8:30 p.m.

HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker Health,

Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,

METROHEALTH CENTER offers free, rapid HIV

PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT-affirming social

group for ages 11-24. 4-6 p.m. 1419 Columbia Road

CHRYSALIS arts & culture group holds bi-monthly

Dinner Social at restaurant near Silver Spring Metro

LGBT ASYLUM SEEKERS/ASYLEES FORUM, a

free HIV testing, 9-5 p.m., and HIV services (by

BET MISHPACHAH, founded by members of the

DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walking/social

club welcomes all levels for exercise in a fun and

DC SENTINELS basketball team meets at Turkey

Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Ave. NE,